tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67285803814981158162017-07-29T03:08:16.914-06:00The Krause Bearscatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-4872051814486025622012-04-16T00:32:00.003-06:002012-04-16T00:32:20.367-06:00Family Update 4/15/12<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Peter is doing well....and no news is good news on the spinal. He did get quite a bump in the amount of chemo he has to get and the first few nights were rough - waking up, dry heaving some, but generally just uncomfortable. Fortunately it has got better and we've got through a couple of nights were he will stay in his bed. John is being the strong one! When Peter wakes up he will give him a drink in his bed and get him to lay back down. So far so good.....we were just talking today that maybe we can think about moving him out of our room some time in the near future. Would be so nice to have an adult bedroom again! We'll think about it again after school is out.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">What is most exciting is that little man seems to be really taking off with working on vocalizations! I will swear he hugged me and said "I love you" as he squeezed tight. No prompting in the world has got him to say it again.....but I know he did say it!! He has been using "I do" and "I did" this week, in addition to sounds that are clearly efforts to put one or more words together. Yes, I am still in that overwhelmed state but pushed to start The Listening Program with Peter. I decided to go with the least intense to start off with - 15 minutes a day. We made it (by stretching our imaginations) to 8 minutes on day 1. Then none on day 2 and loud NO!! on day 3. So we decided to not worry about time and logs and stress - and let him just listen as much as he wants until he gets used to the headphones which are huge!! And it seems to be working. We have stayed on the first module that is classical music with nature sounds overlaid. He calls out when he hears the birds, and just listening to the music he starts to make sounds - singing, talking, humming - all good! This is complimented by Peter's imaginary phone conversations that he really enjoys.....he opens up our "I don't have a real place to be stored" drawer in the kitchen, takes out John's old phone and walks around conversing up a storm. When he is done, he closes the phone up and puts it away. Today at church he was really enjoying the music and can clearly sing "alleluia". We enjoyed a breakfast at church and it warmed my heart to see Peter playing with the other kids - chasing, waving, dancing and more chasing!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLwyU6xfw6k/T4u7cL6vXQI/AAAAAAAABFU/2_08tL4XJE4/s1600/gakcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLwyU6xfw6k/T4u7cL6vXQI/AAAAAAAABFU/2_08tL4XJE4/s320/gakcar.jpg" width="240" /></a>Gretchen continues to be his best buddy. So often I get asked if they are twins, and in so many ways they feel like it. She is however the constantly on the move, multi-tasking, high energy yet nurturing little girl. I took a great picture of her in the car this weekend - while Peter plays with John's old phone, G plays with my old Blackberry. She talks and texts all at the same time! So sitting looking so cute in the car - her baby in her lap she was the picture of a multi-tasking little mommy on the go! She accumulates things too.....those valuables she can't go with out..... right now it involves whatever electronic is tickling her fancy at the moment, her baby that looks like it has been well loved for 100 years, and the Cars book we got at Costco a few weeks ago but looks like it has been read by 100 kids. Of course, anything Peter has or wants becomes at the top of her most-wanted list! The two of them had a great time yesterday. We spent hours running around Mr Biggs. It is a fun center here in town that is closing down - but it has a portion that is for little kids - it is like a village with a garage shop, a bakery, farm, fire station, and so much more. They weaved in and out of each nook and cranny having a great time! While Peter is a man on the go, fortunately I can coax Gretchen into following me when we need to take off after Peter......it beat the times they have decided to run off in opposite directions and not respond. Then the decision becomes - who can you catch faster and then do a 180 and chase after the other before they get hurt. Thank you God for letting G get to the point where she follows at least some instructions and has embraced her role of chasing after Peter too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dD63anpD4-8/T4u7hA6nQHI/AAAAAAAABFk/KO42URX5_Hw/s1600/pakgak1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dD63anpD4-8/T4u7hA6nQHI/AAAAAAAABFk/KO42URX5_Hw/s320/pakgak1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mr Biggs was a lot of fun - it was actually the event I organized for Michael's class this weekend. The boys were in and out of the laser tag most of the time, plus arcade games, go carts and just hanging out. It is very rewarding to see Michael having a good time with a group of boys that he has been able to build a good relationship with at school - and see it continue to blossom out of school. Many of these boys started off at the school with Michael, and take great pride in knowing they will be the first class to graduate who completed all their years at the school.....a badge of honor they all enjoy! They are goofy, and funny and make me wonder when they say things like "you didn't hear that did you Mrs Krause?" For the record, I did not stalk the boys or run after them.....I was more strategically positioned to just make sure no one went missing. Why you ask? well, i didn't want to embarrass Michael (or Mike as he insists on with his friends) - I was exhausted from sitting in the bleachers for Jack's wrestling tournament.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_DQF0BxG08/T4u7jmyiMcI/AAAAAAAABFs/3f2IAM31L3o/s1600/wrestling1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_DQF0BxG08/T4u7jmyiMcI/AAAAAAAABFs/3f2IAM31L3o/s320/wrestling1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh goodness it was a long week. There was an "incident" at practice on Tuesday that got horribly blown out of proportion and then mis-represented to the school principal. Jack was kicked off the team which crushed his spirit. After various conversations, interviews, etc Jack was put back on the team. He vowed to win gold this year - and that is exactly what he did! It wasn't easy as he had two strong opponents. He almost pinned one several times, and the other took Jack to overtime. But at the end, his hard work and perseverance paid off and he got the gold medal. We are very proud of him!</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9J_z_Zx7UNY/T4u7mPu1htI/AAAAAAAABF0/_fzT4Rnpn2Y/s1600/wrestling2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9J_z_Zx7UNY/T4u7mPu1htI/AAAAAAAABF0/_fzT4Rnpn2Y/s320/wrestling2.jpg" width="320" /></a>My proudest moment came however off the mat. During the tournament there was a young boy, about Jack's age, from another school who suffered a crushing defeat in his final match. The boy sobbed in the ancillary gym where the medals were being handed out. What made this boy stand out was that in addition to sobbing in a way that broke your heart, his face had deep purple birth marks that covered a good half of his face. I could easily see how many were slightly uncomfortable and did not know what to do. Thinking he was hurt, I asked him if he was ok. His dad turned and smiled, and the boy just nodded he was not hurt. Jack could tell the tears came from a painful defeat and a gold medal desperately desired but horribly lost. He stood next to the boy rubbing and patting his back as he tried to comfort his ego. At that moment in time I know Jack didn't see the deformity in the kids face, but just a fellow soul who needed to be acknowledged and comforted. I was proud of him! I share the story because so often we have to address Jack's passion misdirected, but this was on of Jack's glorious moments where his passion is directed towards compassion. So proud of you Jack!!</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Also very proud of Alexandra - the budding golfer in the family. She and John have been training hard. She is frustrated she has not yet broken 100 but continues to hold on to the goal. She shot 111 again at the varsity tournament this week. The JV was cancelled due to weather - but she said for the time she played she was doing even better. More to come this week! In addition, this week is her induction to The National Honor Society. Alexandra was selected to be an "Ambassador" of her school and is excited to be participating in various events coming up. She was also selected for "Campus Ministry" which she was the most excited about. She had applied for that position months ago so when the results were finally published it was that celebration but also relief of the wait being over. Still getting driving hours in.....and I can't wait till she can go to the store to pick up milk and a Starbucks without needing an adult in the car! :)....."baby - get me a venti 'bucks please!" .....oh I can't wait!!</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Last but not least by any means is Tommy. He is living the dream! Loving school and loving having kids to play with in the neighborhood. We have two kids around his age that moved in next door and he plays with them pretty much every day - generally it is hours in the backyard. There is still his best gal buddy several houses up who loves to walk Angel (our dog) with him. I, of course, love it that I get e-mailed or stopped by the moms and grandmas to tell me just how sweet he is, and how glad they are to have him as a friend for their kids. Warms my heart! Now that spring is here he will be starting tennis and I know he will be very excited!</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The week has been crazy busy! In all my free time (I took Friday off work to make it happen), I was co-organizer for an appreciation dinner for the Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association. It was stressful leading up to the event but it went off without a hitch! We had about 50 volunteers and sponsors at the event. The theme was "Welcome to Holland" based on the poem about parenting a child with special needs. The room was filled with tulips and had a spring like feel to it which felt warm and cozy as the evening progressed and the room was lit by candle light and little white lights that framed the windows with amazing views of the mountains changing colors as the sun went down. I love our downtown area!! So I am going to end this post by sharing with you this beautiful poem that I know has touched so many lives. We all have our own journeys, our own path to walk down, but as a parents of a child with special needs I think there is a thread that binds us together - we know that while others may pity us, our little secret is that we are blessed beyond our wildest dreams! until you've experienced that unconditional love, it is hard to explain why this journey we never knew we wanted is not only awesome, but we wish for others to share in it too. We are so blessed!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqBVuxkjwps/T4u7ezGUMJI/AAAAAAAABFc/omCY3Hr2y6k/s1600/holland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqBVuxkjwps/T4u7ezGUMJI/AAAAAAAABFc/omCY3Hr2y6k/s320/holland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">WELCOME TO HOLLAND by Emily Perl Kingsley.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3e3733; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Love -<br />Catherine</div></span></span>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-26476188441934269102012-03-25T22:04:00.002-06:002012-03-25T22:05:21.857-06:00Family Update!<br />Things I learned this week...........I am often overwhelmed - and need to get used to it - don't remember what it feels like to be peaceful; I suck at ironing - as told by the vein-like lines climbing my pant legs no matter how hard I tried to get them out; the weekends are never long enough - I could use 3 day weekends every week; just because I am tired doesn't mean the kids are ready to go to sleep - making the house black and staying really quiet doesn't always work; and my favorite is that I am clumsy enough to hurt myself with the seat tray on an airplane.....I was trying to sleep on the plane but unable to get comfortable, decided to lean my elbows on the tray and cradle my head. The warning slides should have alerted me to the danger ahead - I did fall asleep until my arms slipped off the tray and my head came down with a crash broken only hitting the chair in front of me before landing on the tray.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnbeC-mrKdE/T2_qdAv1uTI/AAAAAAAABE0/v1NdC69d6gs/s1600/kids-breck-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnbeC-mrKdE/T2_qdAv1uTI/AAAAAAAABE0/v1NdC69d6gs/s320/kids-breck-2011.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Back from another trip and exhausted! I really could have used a long weekend to get caught up. A decent amount of laundry done and the pantry is stocked so I really should be thankful for what is done vs. what seems to be the eternally growing list of to-do's. I read this week that women need to relax at least 15 minutes a day - quietly - to ensure our body stays in balance. Some chemical I don't remember .....clearly not one that is in balance right now. I guess 15 minutes is something to strive for.....and I could really use it as I sit contorted trying to update this blog and Gretchen is literally screaming in my ear thrilled at the previously unattained pitches. My ears are ringing!<br /><br />So starting with the little one first - G is doing great despite having a runny nose from allergies. She is energetic 24/7 and talking up a storm. This weekend was exciting as she finally relinquished her old worn out tennis shoes to try on some new shoes. Shoe shopping makes her scream in a non-happy way, but she found her dream shoes - hot pink party shoes! Once she found her dream shoes suggestion of trying on any other shoes brought on the non-happy screaming. Hot pink party shoes it is!! She and Tommy are becoming very close and she can be heard calling out "Thomas!" constantly. Her doll has gained a few more stains and scars ....did I mention she is not machine washable?! So not smart thinking Santa!! At Jack's last wrestling match Gretchen had been eyeing the girls playing with Barbie like dolls. After walking past several times, circling the group and finally getting the courage to try and play with the "big girls", Gretchen proudly held out her doll only to receive an unenthusiastic "she is dirty!". Clearly disappointed she came back to the bleachers to sit with me while hugging her doll extra tight. So this weekend we did our best to give "Dolly" a scrubbing and bought her some clothes to help her look more presentable. So the stains from being well loved are hidden but not lost. Gretchen likes to give her baby positive words of affirmation with at times a scary level of enthusiasm - tonight it sounds like "AH-GRRRR UUUUUHHHHH YOUUUUUU SSOOOOOOO PRETTY AHHHHH-GRRRRRR!!!!!".<br /><br />Peter is doing great! Still no glasses ....they probably did go out in the trash one night. The replacements are still on their way - delayed by billing issues. No more two words together - but still working on words. Planning on starting his programs this week.....assuming I get a few minutes to read the instructions and get them ready. Having them on my nightstand must count for something - right??!!. My excitement this week as little as it may seem is that Peter is doing a much better job at bending down while bending both knees. Locking one leg as been an issue for a long time. He works on it but seeing him do it more and more often outside of therapy is very exciting. He is still not sleeping well, and is not eating well - but has got so thick on the upper body - big top resting upon his little chicken legs! He is really enjoying the warmer weather and playing outside. We still need to sign him up for swim lessons. In early April we have his transition meeting with the elementary school to prepare for Kindergarten. I am excited to report that this year's school pictures turned out really cute!<br /><br />Thomas is still loving school - second only to playing with his friend Arianna up the road. He is devastated when she is not available to play.....I think given a choice he would move in with them so they could play all the time! When she is not available he keeps up with Gretchen and Peter. He and G are having more and more fun together, and he will help her with "Dolly" - he makes a great uncle! Ferdinand continues to be his favorite book, followed by anything Dr. Seuss related. I find that hilarious as I admit his books gave me the creeps as a kid - the Hat in the Cat totally stresses me out - I do not find messing a house up to be entertaining! He is still working on guitar although not as focused as we would hope; and continues to count down to summer break and tennis lessons - you're not alone buddy! I can't wait till summer either!!<br /><br />Jack is super busy with wrestling and football. He is still devouring books like crazy. Thank you for the prayers for Jack - things have been getting better at school and spring break was a much needed break for him. We ask that you continue to keep him (well, all of us!) in your prayers. First wresting match he lost, second one he won beautifully, and third one I thought would leave him injured. For as hot tempered as Jack can be he keeps his cool on the mat and a focus that is inspiring. The kid he was wrestling was the one that pinned him during the finals last year and is clearly very talented. Even though he lost by points, he came off the mat with a smile on his face. The other team's coach told Jack that he had broken his opponents 2 year streak of pinning every one he wrestled. The boys mom then came over to congratulate Jack and share the same story. Suffice to say Jack is still beaming from it! The mom was so sweet to come over - her older son was on Michael's basketball team - and we had talked a few times. Her kind words were the cherry on top for Jack. May we all remember to take a few minutes to lift others up! How awesome to experience defeat and still have something to celebrate.....his determination, fight and never-give-up attitude will serve him well!<br /><br />Michael decided to quit football. It was emotional as he knew how much John wanted him to do it. But, as the new kid on a very experienced team it was an unsurmountable task. Michael has always preferred basketball as a sport - and will be doing baseball again this summer. He is enjoying school and his friends - so thankful for that! No mocking allowed - but Michael had his first babysitting gig this weekend for our neighbors. From dog sitting to baby sitting! Our neighbors see how well Michael does with his siblings and were thrilled that he was available to take care of their son for a few hours so they could get away for a late movie. The kid slept so Michael enjoyed catching up on a book and some History channel. Phew - we all wanted the first time to go smoothly! With as busy as our family has been with sports, I am so thankful for all the help Michael gives me. So proud of what a fine young lad he is growing into!<br /><br />Alexandra made the newspaper! She and John were referenced for the upcoming girls golf season. They have been at it hard, and I get very positive feedback on how she is doing. The goal is to consistently shoot under 100 and then work down from there. She really enjoys the sport and I am thankful she and John have that something special they enjoy together. She continues to do well at school and supports John's finance class at church by watching the kids for the families going through it. She is still doing to odd jobs around town - baby sitting, house help and office help - but is hoping for something more stable for the summer. John took her to a job fair and now has a few options to continue to explore. We are also hoping she can get some volunteer time in at the hospital so she can continue to discern her college options - so far still leaning for something in the medical field but leaning towards occupational therapy. Alexandra really enjoyed the down time of spring break including a sleep over and two movies this weekend (October Baby - loved it! and The Hunger Games - good but you can never capture all that is in the book); now time to get ready for testing and college searches - ahhh!<br /><br />I think that catches us up on all! John is busy with golf and finance and taxes coming up! I am busy with work and home and too much other stuff. Hoping we can find some time to just slow down and enjoy but right now feels like we are going non-stop at neck breaking speeds. Off to fold some more laundry!<br /><br />Hugs!<br />catherinecatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-2507131454686886132009-11-29T22:01:00.000-07:002009-11-29T22:05:54.548-07:00Advent is here....<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><p class="Body" style="color: rgb(169, 169, 169); font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; ">Where did November go? It seems like just yesterday we were rushing into Halloween yet here we are with December knocking on the door. Today we welcomed in one of my favorite times of the year - Advent. Father Mark hit the nail on the head today when he talked about the state of our hearts and souls - are we really ready for Christ to come again? He talked about weariness of the heart and amongst the scenarios from the readings today was anxiousness about “stuff of the world”. Well - that is me! I have been so stressed and so anxious and always feeling for the one thing I got done there are twenty that did not! I have tried very hard to get things done ahead of this Advent season so that I can truly just enjoy, reflect and prepare - what a glorious time for Gretchen to arrive! I did pretty good today... a few borderline moments....but overall pretty good - hoping day 1 sets the tone!</p><p class="Body" style="color: rgb(169, 169, 169); font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><br /></p><p class="Body" style="color: rgb(169, 169, 169); font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; ">As a family we prepared our house by setting out our nativity set - the same one we had out when I was just a child and my parents passed down the year Alexandra was born. One day it will be hers too! We decorated the tree and pulled out photos from last year to determine who was in line for placing the angel on the top of the tree and the lighting - this year it was Peter’s turn to attempt the angel placement (with a bit of help from John), and it was Tommy’s turn to do the official tree lighting. Once all was put up, lit and tied up the kids enjoyed a glass of egg nog with John (I’m not an egg nog person.... so I just had milk).<br /></p><p class="Body" style="color: rgb(169, 169, 169); font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><br /></p><p class="Body" style="color: rgb(169, 169, 169); font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; ">Just a short post to start the season! I have added pictures to our 2009 Family Album in our new website http://web.me.com/catherinekrause/Krause_Bears<br /></p><p class="Body" style="color: rgb(169, 169, 169); font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><br /></p><p class="Body" style="color: rgb(169, 169, 169); font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; ">love -<br /></p><p class="Body" style="color: rgb(169, 169, 169); font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; ">catherine</p></span>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-53455854391217514782009-11-29T00:11:00.000-07:002009-11-29T15:03:17.076-07:00Thankful.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SxLIK5TzqaI/AAAAAAAABDE/o26VMG3AIe8/s1600/IMG_5722.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SxLIK5TzqaI/AAAAAAAABDE/o26VMG3AIe8/s320/IMG_5722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409606191933532578" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here we are a few days after Thanksgiving. Alexandra is off at theatre practice for her upcoming high school production of Alice in Wonderland. Michael helped John bring in the boxes of Christmas decor ready to be pulled out. Jack and Tommy are wearing their matching cowboy boots (again!) and climbing all over the swing John set up in the front. Peter and I just got home from the grocery store and picked up (on sale - yeah!) our Christmas turkey to throw in the freezer for a few more weeks. And I reflect on the last week - the ups and downs, the joys and the stresses..... but here are the things I am thankful for with my family - </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peter.... I am thankful for the health he does have and the incredible amount of love and joy he brings to our family. I am thankful for the times he does eat properly and has good color. I am thankful that he is standing and taking a few steps. But, most of all I am thankful for his smiles and his hugs - and the way he so freely shares them with the rest of us. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tommy.... I am thankful for his laughter and seemingly unending repetoir of silly jokes. I am thankful for his ability to adapt and flow with the needs of the family and his compassion towards Peter - when he can stand up and say “Peter isn’t different, he is just one of us” with conviction. But, I am most thankful that he is my child going through the “I want my mother” stage and will spend the time to quietly snuggle up when I need it most. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jack....I am thankful for his spitfire attitude in life. I am thankful for his boundless energy and ability to keep up with everyone. I am thankful for his unparalleled ability to see the positive in life and his giving nature. When he rides the mechanical horse at the grocery store he always leaves a couple of pennies on the coin machine so that any child not as lucky as him will be able to use those pennies and have a fun ride too! Today he spent all morning making cut-outs of his hands so he could make coupon books for massages to give to relatives for Christmas... he has a special heart! But, most off all I am thankful for how he always remembers to give a compliment or pat someone on the back for a job well done. As I tell my kids “...people will forget the things you did and the words you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel”.... and with Jack I know he makes people feel special. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:medium;">Michael.... I am thankful for his growing maturity and sense of responsibility. I am thankful for his inquisitive mind and natural curiosity about life. I am thankful for his ability to be the quiet strength when everyone else is way too loud. But, most of all I am thankful for the times he comes up and rubs my back because he just knows I need it, the little things he does to make things easier on me, and that of all my kids he enjoys spending time with me baking. We share a common love for brownies!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:medium;">Alexandra.....I am thankful for the strong young woman she is growing into. I am thankful for her inner strength and her desire to do the right thing. I am thankful for when she prays for her friends, and when she talks to me about how to help others. I am thankful for her desire to make a difference in this world - and her concern for children with disabilities around the world. I am most thankful for her honesty and desire to include John and I in her life - the many times she shares what her concerns and joys are, what is going on at school, and her desires for her future. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:medium;"> John....well, what else can I say than he is the man that made the choice to spend the rest of his life with me - ups, downs, and everything in between - I think that makes me a very lucky woman. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:medium;">This afternoon we started putting away our Thanksgiving and fall decor..... goodbye for another year to my pilgrim statuettes I love so much, and hello to our Christmas decor - the tree, the lights, the nativity and our advent candles. Hello to four weeks of soul setting much needed at this crazy time of the year. </span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SxLILDPqXQI/AAAAAAAABDM/KV4l0S9tFvM/s1600/IMG_5728.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SxLILDPqXQI/AAAAAAAABDM/KV4l0S9tFvM/s320/IMG_5728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409606194600500482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We are thinking of moving our blog to an Apple/Mac based account and probably keep up the carepages. The link is a little lengthy therefore harder to spell out, but the ease of using our Mac technology to do updates may just out weigh the move off blogspot. Please check it out and let us know what you think!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://web.me.com/catherinekrause/Krause_Bears/About_Us.html">http://web.me.com/catherinekrause/Krause_Bears/About_Us.html</a> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(along the top you will see the links to different "pages" - we have photo albums posted and hope to add video shortly) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Please let us know how you like this new site.... the name is a little long - but we hope you will save it in your favorites and visit us often! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">love - </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">catherine</span></span></div></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-78541941445213192392009-11-09T20:07:00.000-07:002009-11-09T21:24:23.868-07:00Getting Ready for Gretchen...and Peter's Steps!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvjpeMEl20I/AAAAAAAABCU/2fwNPAzFpl4/s320/IMG_5668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402324457876740930" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpd7-b5zI/AAAAAAAABCM/LVpF9waqj6g/s1600-h/IMG_5667.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpd7-b5zI/AAAAAAAABCM/LVpF9waqj6g/s320/IMG_5667.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402324453555955506" /></a><br />Well - under T-2 months until our little gal arrives! We continued to make huge progress in getting the nursery ready. After some disappointment I had to give up on my dream of a room with red barns, farm animals, and gingham fabrics. Instead we decided to work with the old bedding we had (I still need to pull out the sewing machine and repair a ripped sheet). We had painted the walls a pretty bright blue sky color. None the less I added some white clouds and yellow stars to match the Serendipity/Noah's Ark bedding. I have to say - I'm really happy with how it turned out! We still have a bit of work to do with the room - hopefully change out the old original 70's carpet (yucky!!), finish trim, put valance up and find a white dresser (please craigslist!!). However, I wanted to share how far we have come - so check out the photos!!<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvjqCpyx38I/AAAAAAAABC0/-yLkxzj4AyI/s1600-h/IMG_5674.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvjqCpyx38I/AAAAAAAABC0/-yLkxzj4AyI/s320/IMG_5674.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402325084330385346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpeu1BECI/AAAAAAAABCk/vm_iVfvWPl4/s1600-h/IMG_5666.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpeu1BECI/AAAAAAAABCk/vm_iVfvWPl4/s320/IMG_5666.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402324467206656034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpeu1BECI/AAAAAAAABCk/vm_iVfvWPl4/s1600-h/IMG_5666.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpefr-JWI/AAAAAAAABCc/-z2ea7e9_kk/s1600-h/IMG_5664.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpefr-JWI/AAAAAAAABCc/-z2ea7e9_kk/s320/IMG_5664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402324463142184290" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvjqC6wVCpI/AAAAAAAABC8/Dh_6MsJGBCQ/s1600-h/IMG_5687.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvjqC6wVCpI/AAAAAAAABC8/Dh_6MsJGBCQ/s320/IMG_5687.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402325088883509906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>You'll also see how big Gretchen has got in my tummy..... can you imagine how big I will be by the time she comes along!! Now check out the picture below - does it not look like Peter is grooving in his update/new room? Little man is moving slowly towards independent walking but we are so thrilled with his progress. He's working on standing and getting his balance more often. His max was taking 8 tiny little steps - but we are generally around three to four little steps before coming down. However, he is getting further and further with walking if you hold just one hand (minimal assistance) and he is more willing to come up and have you hold his hand and take him for a little walk. He's also - by the true grace of God - got over the aversion to having stuff on his feet. If it is just socks he will still pull them off, but he let's us put Tommy's old shoes on his feet. Thank goodness!! </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpe_BhfcI/AAAAAAAABCs/EGDqMGT1gYQ/s1600-h/IMG_5678_2.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Svjpe_BhfcI/AAAAAAAABCs/EGDqMGT1gYQ/s320/IMG_5678_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402324471554080194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>He has regained his picky eating ways - so we think that will be a challenge going for a while. He continues to work on signing though, and his favorite word is TRAIN - which often is vocalized a "tttt" sound. He literally could spend all day playing with the trains although that can at times mean disassembling the track and flinging it across the room..... oh goodness! I think we have assembled it a million times in the last couple of weeks. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just wanted to share some pics. Hope all is well with y'all and that you are all staying healthy!</div><div><br /></div><div>love, </div><div>catherine</div></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-65711811719195018132009-11-03T21:46:00.000-07:002009-11-03T22:37:11.590-07:00Spooky Boo!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEREbZ6IsI/AAAAAAAABB0/GdId-7cdsfw/s1600-h/IMG_5611.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEREbZ6IsI/AAAAAAAABB0/GdId-7cdsfw/s320/IMG_5611.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400116195967509186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><br />Last week we had awful weather in the Colorado - icy roads, snow, wind, closed schools, nasty roads - just one of those weeks when you need to bunker down by the fireplace and forget the outside world for a few days. But, amazingly, despite what seemed to be a gnarly weather week, the seasons flipped completely and we had a balmy Halloween. Actually in our 13 years in Colorado I think this is the warmest Halloween I can remember having. There went my excuse for staying in doors - but none the less I retained my status as dinner cooker/candy hander outer. Disappointingly we had very few kids come by our house - we are two blocks away from the hopping spot in the neighborhood but I think all the dark houses on our block lead to us being missed. That and the news put the fear in everyone that they would get H1N1 if they went out trick-or-treating. So - you can do the basic math....not enough trick-or-treaters and my large family still knocking on doors. Not only did we have candy left over but they of course came back with a ton. As a result Gretchen is on a Tootsie Roll high right now! [For those of you reading this on the carepages please check out our blog for the pictures www.krausebears.blogspot.com]<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvERElwINMI/AAAAAAAABB8/T5_ekyCn-lw/s1600-h/IMG_5613.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvERElwINMI/AAAAAAAABB8/T5_ekyCn-lw/s320/IMG_5613.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400116198745060546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Halloween started with pumpkin carving with Tio Greg and Tia Brenda. Their persistence paid off as they finally found the last pumpkins for sale in Colorado Springs. They came truly equipped to challenge the kids - and the kids loved it! Piled around the kitchen table there was carving, drawing, sticker pasting and the trips out back to spray paint the pumpkins. Jack and Tommy decorated while Alexandra and Michael carved away! Greg &amp; Brenda got to enjoy some of John's traditional apple cider, and were challenged to a game of Yahtzee by the younger boys. Thank you Greg &amp; Brenda!!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEO_HpmE5I/AAAAAAAABBM/yckv2O0umIk/s320/IMG_5587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400113905741992850" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><br /><div><br /></div><div>So what were the kids this year? well "green" in some cosmic sense of environmental again. My husband - with the big kid heart - reused his Darth Vadar outfit from last year. He wore it to the Fall Festival at school on Friday and was "taken on" by a miniature Luke Skywalker. Darth John's light saber failed and he gracefully bowed out of what could have been quite an event the school would not be excited about. He was ready for a challenge on Halloween night in the same great costume - but I think his challenge was getting all five kids where they needed to be. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEO_rnd9XI/AAAAAAAABBU/19xcy_np3pw/s1600-h/IMG_5553.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEO_rnd9XI/AAAAAAAABBU/19xcy_np3pw/s320/IMG_5553.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400113915396748658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Alexandra and Tommy paired up and pulled out old pumpkin costumes John and I wore to a party when we were first married. They were "big pumpkin" and "little pumpkin". Tommy was so darn cute because the costume ate him up. But he was so excited to get to do something special just with Alexandra. As a result here we are a few days later and she is now the object of all his prayers at the dinner table (I have been replaced!) and he still calls her "big pumpkin". Alexandra accented their costumes with some fake fall leaves - and was excited to have a shared costume with little man. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEO_zmd5TI/AAAAAAAABBc/tGVUvJNiMdo/s1600-h/IMG_5549.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEO_zmd5TI/AAAAAAAABBc/tGVUvJNiMdo/s320/IMG_5549.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400113917540033842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Michael decided to don a "death" costume my father had used a couple of years back. He glided through the Fall Festival in it - an image in black. But on Halloween night he added a nasty looking face mask I just don't remember how it landed in our house. None the less he was pretty excited. I however had to realize how much Michael had grown to be able to use this costume. Soon he will be taller than me too! </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEPABbfZsI/AAAAAAAABBk/cFcXd2N2SAw/s1600-h/IMG_5550.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEPABbfZsI/AAAAAAAABBk/cFcXd2N2SAw/s320/IMG_5550.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400113921252091586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jack loved his Ninja costume from last year so much that he wanted to use it again. So a little snugger on him he slipped back into it. However, he pulled out the belt that went with Michael's mini-Darth costume last year and put it on. So not only was he a Ninja - but he was a special forces Ninja that was fighting along big Darth (aka John). He is my eccentric little dude - and he made the costume all his by creating a whole long story behind his character. I love his imagination!! </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEPAqTrv_I/AAAAAAAABBs/Mj4t4GUX3ps/s1600-h/IMG_5552.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvEPAqTrv_I/AAAAAAAABBs/Mj4t4GUX3ps/s320/IMG_5552.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400113932225200114" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then we come to Peter who by no choice of his own re-cycled Winnie the Pooh one more time. Actually all the boys have used this costume starting with Michael way back in 1998. He gracefully put it on but was not too excited about it. But here is the exciting news - Peter has grown so much that the legs weren't long enough to qualify as capri's - they were closer to shorts!! It was so great to see how much he has grown despite being a peanut compared to the rest of my big kids. Peter's favorite part of Halloween?..... unplugging the fake pumpkin with a light in it. I swear if I had plugged that thing in at 3am Peter would have woken up, lunged out of the crib, climbed down the stairs and unplugged it. He has some 6th sense ..... which leads me to believe Christmas is going to be quite the challenge!! I told John we are going to have to set up and barricade the tree or get a little one that sits atop a high surface. I think tree, lights and ornaments are not safe this year.... </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvERE98NryI/AAAAAAAABCE/HKCoWI2n0Z8/s1600-h/IMG_5601.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SvERE98NryI/AAAAAAAABCE/HKCoWI2n0Z8/s320/IMG_5601.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400116205238202146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Well....just wanted to get some pics posted. Only other news - last but most definitely not least - little man is taking a few steps here and a few steps there!! Maybe just maybe he'll be walking before Gretchen gets here!! He still prefers bear crawling as his primary method of mobility - but he has several times stood up - gained his balance - and taken up to 4 steps. At first they were the "how many steps can I take as I fall forward" type - but lately they are the more in control "I have my balance and know what I'm doing" type. I am so excited and so thankful and so in awe of the little miracle that he is..... I can tell he so desperately wants to run. He has a need for speed and I think once he can figure it out he will be a speed demon on two feet. The moments are sporadic so suffice to say no camera around - but hope to capture some pics of him doing it soon. </div><div><br /></div><div>Off to bed I go. Hope y'all had a spooktacular Halloween! </div><div><br /></div><div>catherine</div></div></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-9501192573592247512009-10-27T20:25:00.000-06:002009-10-27T22:57:40.539-06:00Can I skip Halloween and jump to Thanksgiving?We had a busy yet incredibly productive weekend. A true team effort. The combination of getting stuff finally done around the house and an increase in chocolate intake has brought me back some sanity! Actually - I think it is getting to 30 weeks that has allowed me to step out of that hormonal homicidal stage and back to normal despite still being tired - a stage I am likely to stay in for quite a while. I am so looking forward to meeting little Gretchen Anne - but daunted by the idea of no sleep, midnight feedings and everything else that comes with a little one. Today John joined me for my OB appointment and we got a see our little gal in the ultra-sound. It was a good old fashion (ie. poor quality) ultra-sound so no great 3-D pics to share - but we got to see her. The hospital had requested that we do a "size" test at 30 weeks ....I am actually 29 weeks 6 days, and that is exactly what she measured in at. Doctor estimated that she is around 3.5lbs already. It was so exciting to see little parts of her emerge on the screen - an eye, a chubby little cheek and a nose. We saw her little lips moving in what appeared to be a sucking motion and I am certain she stuck her tongue out at us! <div><br /></div><div>We are getting the house ready for her arrival. Michael moved into a room with Tommy and Jack. Not his first choice, but we are limited in options. Peter moved out and into Michael's old room. The room will be turning into the nursery Peter will share with Gretchen. So Saturday Peter and I did groceries and all our normal weekend errands. John - with intermittent help from the kids unloaded our normally too packed to be used garage. He sorted through stuff, re-packed and separated out things to get rid of....by the end of the day we can actually get the van back in the garage. Just in time as it snowed Saturday night and we were able to jump in a warm car and get to church on time. Celebration item #1!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL1mPBQkI/AAAAAAAABAk/72s2SUbh888/s1600-h/IMG_5543.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL1mPBQkI/AAAAAAAABAk/72s2SUbh888/s320/IMG_5543.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397506800083878466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Winter is coming - which to me means time to move around the family room furniture and getting the couch and love seat close to the fireplace, instead of the spread out against the walls that I like in the summer. In addition we are really trying to step up the therapy work Peter does. His toys often lost at the bottom of the tub that houses all toys. So now I had a double challenge - better set up for the toys and moving furniture around..... no new furniture as I just can't seem to find the bookcase I dream of on craigslist. So - now my project extended to the living room. Our house - built in the 70's - has built in book shelves in the living room. I put away the picture frames and nick-nacks we displayed on the shelves and converted it into our family library. Celebration item #2. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL1UbmF5I/AAAAAAAABAc/gSsOpbjnbjM/s1600-h/IMG_5541.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL1UbmF5I/AAAAAAAABAc/gSsOpbjnbjM/s320/IMG_5541.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397506795304785810" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once the books were moved out, Peter and I picked up a couple of baskets and Walmart, sorted through the toys and set up our old small book cases into what John describes as our "daycare corner". The toys are set up and now easy access for us and easy access for Peter and his therapists. A little too easy access as we are now picking up lego constantly as he can open the box and throw them. We also set the couch and love seat up close to the fireplace and the train table in the middle for all to enjoy. Peter could spend hours circling the table, pushing trains and disassembling the track. We also still have an open enough space for the kids to play the Wii on our old TV. I like the new layout and how we converted the family room into a functional playroom and cozy winter space. Celebration item #3.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL16QsUMI/AAAAAAAABAs/FxyCOLhbs-w/s1600-h/IMG_5531.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL16QsUMI/AAAAAAAABAs/FxyCOLhbs-w/s320/IMG_5531.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397506805459603650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL2LZzMZI/AAAAAAAABA0/50TnwHXXcjw/s1600-h/IMG_5534.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL2LZzMZI/AAAAAAAABA0/50TnwHXXcjw/s320/IMG_5534.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397506810061205906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>John and the kids started to prep the nursery. We've got a way to go, but the walls are now painted! Our plan is to take the wall with the window and do a very basic mural - farm animals and red barns. I love red barns! There is something about red barns that inspire me - they remind me of simplicity - the life I dream of often. I hope that Peter and Gretchen will enjoy learning the names and sounds of the animals on the wall, and that one day red barns will warm their hearts as it warms me. So we have a bit to go - I am not going to include pictures as I want to wait until it is done .....but, finally taking steps to get it ready - Celebration item #4. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've shared with you before that Peter has fought us like crazy to wear shoes. Well Celebration item #5 - we got Tommy's old baby shoes on his feet! Yay!! It has made it harder for him to practice taking steps - but a bit of a step back that will help us long term. Speaking of it, Peter has had great therapy sessions over the last couple of weeks. Just tonight as I was sitting here with John and Peter, Peter was trying to stand and take steps. He's not quite got his balance down as he wants to take off running - but this week we've seen him get on his feet and take three quick steps - yes, as he was falling forward, but none the less our persistence on getting him to walk assisted seems to be helping. I am so looking forward to him walking..... and hoping it is before I have to be carrying Gretchen around. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufNQ9TATCI/AAAAAAAABBE/MVOtwaj_W-Y/s1600-h/IMG_5470.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufNQ9TATCI/AAAAAAAABBE/MVOtwaj_W-Y/s320/IMG_5470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397508369642703906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, Halloween is just a few days away. I have been meaning - since late September - to get out our fall decor and put some stuff up. Hmmm - didn't happen. So, as John reorganized the garage he pulled out my plastic tubs with fall stuff. The kids help me paste up some ghosts in the windows, a couple of halloween items for around the house and some pumpkins for the front steps. As I pulled the stuff out I found my favorite home decor - orange hanging style luminaries with an asian spin that we picked up for a couple of bucks at a garage sale around the corner, and the pilgrim couple I got on super sale at K-Mart after the holiday sale a few years ago. So - as I set them out in our dining room Sunday night - I found myself cooking up some comfort meatloaf and mashed potatoes, dimming the lights and lighting up the little tea light candles.... for that moment in time as I looked around at all the hard work everyone put into the house, reflected on my wonderful children and thought of our little one on the way I was reminded - I have much to be thankful for - and that is when I wished I could skip halloween and get straight to Thanksgiving.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL2WzHMNI/AAAAAAAABA8/rO17-ysb23c/s1600-h/IMG_5529.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SufL2WzHMNI/AAAAAAAABA8/rO17-ysb23c/s320/IMG_5529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397506813120164050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is to finding the times to get things done, and times to slow down, dim the lights and celebrate our own little Thanksgiving for all the blessings we have any day of the year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hugs - </div><div>catherine </div><div><div><br /></div></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-23313694070445444982009-10-23T07:51:00.000-06:002009-10-23T11:20:12.683-06:00October - Down syndrome awareness month!!It seems every month there is a national awareness month - but actually every month there are many valuable causes hoping for greater awareness in their communities and around the country. Well, October is Down syndrome awareness month. I had originally intended this post to be family update and get more pictures posted - but I think I will do that later this weekend. Today I want to share with you our family experience with Down syndrome and some amazing links I hope you will check out.<br /><br />This December will be three years since we got the call letting us know Peter had DS. But to understand the influence on our lives we much go back to the start. Growing up I culturally would hear the term "The children pay for the sins of the parents" - so you can imagine where my natural reaction to guilt comes from. I didn't know or see people with disabilities. When we travelled and I saw a disabled individual I was uncomfortable - the child in me wanted to look and understand, but the other grown up side would say "don't stare". At 16 I had graduated high school, and went off to a two year boarding school in the UK. As part of the program we were to enroll and support a community service program. One such program supported disabled and troubled youth in the community. Guess what - it didn't even make my consideration. I admired the folks involved in that program but "it wasn't for me". Jump to 1995..... young married couple. We have one beautiful and healthy child. We thought we were done - our world was going to revolve around her and only her. Sitting on the living room floor of our 2 bedroom apartment - John at work and Alexandra had just fallen asleep for a nap. The TV was on in the background and I was pulled in to something playing around the Special Olympics. I just watched. It made no sense - in my heart I felt something familiar, I watched the families cheering on as these awkward kids with big smiles ran around the track. I felt like it was me but it made no sense. I figured maybe one day Alexandra and I would volunteer.... that moment was written in my heart and at times it would pop back up and I would wonder what about that small period of time made such an impression.<br /><br />Fast forward to December 2006. We knew the odds and were waiting for the results of the amnio. I had taken the day off work after a doctor appointment and decided to run over to the mall. I needed a distraction. That TV program on Special Olympics kept coming back up in my mind - was that truly my fate? Then I see two young adult boys with DS walking and laughing through Old Navy. With them two very attractive blonde teenage girls. Hmmmm.....what??!! My motherly instinct kicked in - surely these girls were talking advantage of these boys somehow - getting them to buy them stuff? That was not going to happen under my watch. So waddling behind at a distance I kept a close watch - let's face it, pregnant women don't exactly make the best candidates for undercover work. I listened - and then I realized these young girls were mentors. These boys were shopping for their families. And together the four of them were having fun and laughing. What a long way from the days I was that age and didn't know a face with DS from any other face of disability.<br /><br />Then the call - yes, baby is another boy for the Krause family and he has Down syndrome. I told John as we stood in the kitchen. Trying to get our arms around the words and what this meant. We now knew for sure - short of some miracle our fate had been declared. This wasn't something that would change in a week, a month, a year or a few years down the road...... this was our for ever now. This would be a part of our family - change our family. John finally looked at me, eyes moist and said "I used to make fun of people like that when I was a kid - now that is going to be my kid that other people make fun of...." We just stood there. I tried to say all the right things about being in the US, the awareness, the support, etc....but really? Could I believe those words? Would people really understand and support?<br /><br />The simple and honest answer is No. Reactions were all over the board - from very loving support, to the very often "I'm sorry - how sad", to complete avoidance, to "at least you know early and can have an abortion". Lucky for me the very first person I called was my amazing pediatrician. His reaction? "Alleluiah! Amen Catherine!! I have been praying for your family and this is just the best thing that could happen. It won't always be easy, but I am here and we will get through it together. Your family is truly blessed". WOW!! That was when my little cause of awareness started. I told John - we will set the tone for how the world reacts to Peter - yes, Peter, our son conceived in love. If we loved him, others would learn to love him. If we smile, others will learn to smile. If we encourage and give him opportunities, others will too. We as individuals set the tone for how others will respect (or not) our loved ones every day - but that tone we set is heightened when your child has disabilities - because often we don't know what to say or how to react - and we look to the folks around us to set that tone. That night I wondered - will his heart be healthy enough for him to be an awkward kid with a big smile running around the track as we cheer on? Will we be one of those families, or will I truly just be a volunteer one day. Time will tell.<br /><br />So I can throw the facts at you on DS - most common chromosome abnormality, happens in 1 of every 800 births, older women are at a higher chance but the average age of a new mom with a baby with DS is in her late 20's, there is a push to screen all babies pre-natally for DS, when there is a pre-natal diagnosis 9 out of 10 pregnancies are "terminated". Children with DS have a much higher chance of leukemia and other medical challenges, 6 out of 10 will have cardiac issues, some will talk - some won't...... but really - how much of that changes the way you look at an individual with DS? These facts give us intellectual awareness. I want us all to also have a "heart awareness". These individuals are as unique as you and I - they have their own interests and desires, they have their own strengths and weaknesses. They laugh and love more than you and I - but they also can feel sad, mad or down right stubborn. The color of their skin, eyes and hair will be like there families - it isn't determined by DS. Their shorter stature, lower muscle tone and almond shaped eyes unites them together. Why? I think it is God's way of showing us who they are so that we can learn and appreciate.<br /><br />I know I have many, many, many more years ahead of me - and in those years additional challenges and frustrations will come up - as well as opportunities to rejoice and celebrate. Peter has blessed our family for almost three years now with the knowledge of his specialness and I don't pretend to have the knowledge and experiences that come to those with older children or adults. There is much more for us to learn and experience. So here (after a lot of babbling) is what I want to share with you for heart awareness of Down syndrome - this is what I have learned from my little boy and how he has changed our family..... Life isn't fair, but I still need to appreciate what I have...this one is hard!! Life can be hard and painful, but I shouldn't give up.... only imagine recovery from open heart surgery. Things can be hard to learn, but it is ok to ask for help...... we can all reach up our hand and ask for someone to hold it as we learn to walk our journey. When we feel down and want a hug, all we really need to do is open our arms and someone will fill the space.... and going along with that - short of saving a life - nothing is more important than to fill that space when someone is opening themselves up for a hug. When in doubt smile.... isn't it better to have someone smile back than frown back at you? If you try something you may fail, and fail, and fail again..... but true failure comes from never trying. There is no such thing as perfect - only perfectly you. If you truly want to make the world a better place - simplify your life - if we focus on loving, serving and embracing those around us how can we not make it better? Simply put - the world is our mirror - what we see is what we are...... Peter reminds us every day how special it feels to get a smile and a hug. He has taught us that things don't come easy - but we need to keep trying. We have learned that we are all imperfect - some on the outside, some on the inside - but we must continue to strive to be the best we can be.<br /><br />Here is how our children have been changed - Alexandra wants to pursue physical therapy and work with children with special needs. She wants to marry a special man who will support her in adopting a child (or more) with DS from other countries and give them love and opportunity. Michael understands different and is proud of it. He takes pride in taking Peter out and introducing him to the world - and loves Peter the most because he knows Peter loves him just the way he is.... he too hopes to one day have a child with DS. Jack has learned that being the big brother means helping and encouraging - he has learned that a big smile, a huge hug and a lot of excitement can encourage people to do what they didn't think was possible - he is crazy loud, but full of love. His teacher just told us yesterday how during class sessions with the counselor Jack was the only child that could read people's emotions and needs by looking at their body language - and he responds with compassion. Tommy knows no world without Peter, and therefore sees Peter as anyone else in the family. It is with those eyes that he sees the world - just as the world if full of differently abled people, so is our family - so that is typical. Gretchen Anne will also not know a world without Peter - and I believe she will be blessed with a best friend who will love and encourage her as much as she will him.<br /><br />I hope you will take the time to check out some of these other links. The first is a song I found by accident that I found truly wonderful. This is a youtube video/song called "God doesn't make mistakes"<br /><br /><div><b><a href="http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfuaNhXI1Ao&amp;NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfuaNhXI1Ao&amp;NR=1</a></b><br /><br />For those of you football fans out there - you likely remember coach Stallings - mostly from his amazing success as a college coach. His only son (Johnny) had DS. He passed away not long ago. Coach Stallings wrote a book about the fears, challenges and eventual joy that came from his son. The link below is an interview he gave on his son Johnny and the impact on his coaching.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uUVez3kNcI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uUVez3kNcI</a></b><br /><br />For those of you that are considering expanding your family I want to throw out a non-traditional thought. There are many children around the world with DS that are not as blessed as our Peter. They are left in orphanages and around age four are often moved to institutions where there life is significantly shortened by lack of care. One woman named Andrea has made it her mission to help these children find families. Single handedly she has helped hundreds of children find families to love and care for them. She is truly changing the world one child at a time. Below is a video she put together about her mission. Even if you aren't considering another child in your future, I hope you would consider a Christmas time donation to this organization that financially makes it possible for families to adopt a child with DS.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=9b08ab7214bb71b4b33e33&amp;skin_id=1602&amp;utm_source=otm&amp;utm_medium=text_url">http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=9b08ab7214bb71b4b33e33&amp;skin_id=1602&amp;utm_source=otm&amp;utm_medium=text_ur</a></b><b><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=9b08ab7214bb71b4b33e33&amp;skin_id=1602&amp;utm_source=otm&amp;utm_medium=text_url">l</a></b><br /><br />I do want to thank you - all of you - who continue to come and read our blog for your support and love and compassion. We are proud of all of our kids - and we obviously are very proud of Peter. I really do hope that traveling this road with us now has also brought you awareness on DS and the blessings we can obtain in life by embracing those that may seem most different from us.<br /><br />Love,<br />catherine<br /><br /></div><div>Peter doing art on his new easel (thank you craigslist!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SuHjrpXqCvI/AAAAAAAABAU/gXVg2MR29Qk/s1600-h/IMG_5507.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SuHjrpXqCvI/AAAAAAAABAU/gXVg2MR29Qk/s320/IMG_5507.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395844167545522930" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><br />Peter helping assemble the new train set - yes it is for therapy - keeps him on his feet, moving and stretching and coordinating fine motor for train movement. (thank you sale at Toys R Us)</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SuHjrRZUrqI/AAAAAAAABAM/4DMeb4p8DC4/s1600-h/IMG_5473.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SuHjrRZUrqI/AAAAAAAABAM/4DMeb4p8DC4/s320/IMG_5473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395844161110060706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Standing, stretching and putting dice in a cup....Disney Yatzee (thank you Tommy's friend for a fun birthday present) </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SuHjrAvY7lI/AAAAAAAABAE/oY7fuIFJLgE/s1600-h/IMG_5460.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SuHjrAvY7lI/AAAAAAAABAE/oY7fuIFJLgE/s320/IMG_5460.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395844156639211090" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Therapy on a tablet learning to draw lines (thank you Ms. Katie and fun games put together by the Air Force Academy to help special kids). </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SuHjq5ZOxZI/AAAAAAAAA_8/IBmNBvaQzwQ/s320/IMG_5441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395844154667222418" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for Peter for sharing the joy you find in your efforts and accomplishments - we all celebrate those with you!</div><div><br /></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-59494921966152131572009-10-10T04:02:00.000-06:002009-10-10T04:15:19.755-06:00Dreams and FearsI don't think I ever sat down and shared the dream I had a couple of months back - and if I did, you get it twice! It warms my heart when I think of it. In my dream I was standing outside of church - looking at the grassy area that separates the church from the office. There was Gretchen (our daughter on her way). I knew it was her, and her back was to me. She had blonde hair and wearing a dress. Then I see Peter walk up to her and say "I love you Gretchen". She reached out her arms and they hugged. I heard her say "I love you too Peter". Then she took a step back and put out her hand. She said "Come on Peter" - he took her hand and together they walked down the sidewalk away from me. When I woke felt so happy!! Truly in my heart it was a sign of things to come. That Peter will always remind her how loved she is.... he will teach her laughter, simplicity, joy and love. She will hold his hand and help him navigate the world, she will love him back and together they will learn. I felt like she was telling me she loves him as much as I do - and that he will be safe. <br /><br />Despite the warmth that dream gave me, too many days I have not felt warm and fuzzy and safe. I have not felt like the happy mom-to-be basking in the miracle of life. Instead I have been moody, and tired and worn out. At times I have been down right homicidal - and God blessed people around me with survival. I have felt guilt for not singing to the baby, talking to her, playing Beethoven and all those other things "good" and "happy" moms do. I have been so stressed out, and then I stress about being stressed. I drink too much milk and not enough water - and wish I could sleep all day and night. Despite my best of intentions I'm not exercising and after miscalculating my weight gain realized it was 10 more pounds than I had convinced myself. <br /><br /> Throw in H1N1 and the fact that half of Colorado Springs seems to be sick - I feel pressure! To immunize or not??!! Do I take the risk with Peter, Gretchen and me and not immunize? What if we get sick? what if we don't? This vaccine went to market so fast - contradicting information on mercury. It was developed in 38 days.....really? I'm scared to get it - scared to find out a year or five or fifteen down the road that Gretchen was hurt by the vaccine. Will it save us? hurt us? or end up being nothing? At times the pressure in my chest as I think about it is so tight that I feel like I can't breathe! I had a doctor appointment this week and during the drive in the car I had an epiphany on my stress.... <br /><br />I thought back to my pregnancy with Tommy. I was stressed then and traveling like crazy. Then he was finally born. All was supposed to be ok. At three weeks we found he was lower than his birth weight. The world came tumbling down for me. I took four showers a day just so that I could cry. I wanted to hold him all day and reassure him we would be ok, but at the same time I felt like I couldn't care for him. Well intentioned support just tore at my confidence "You're too stressed Catherine.....", "You just need to relax Catherine....", "You're not drinking enough....you're not resting enough.... you're not producing enough....you're not holding him right..... your not latching him on well enough....." AHHH! I just wanted the madness to stop. Then the "Just give it up" or "Obviously you can't do it this time.." or "I'm so sorry (you're failing)" or "breast IS best Catherine ". I seriously wanted to run away into the woods and never see the world again. I ended up breast feeding and formula feeding - we alternated feeds. He thrived, and I felt a bit better - as long as I didn't leave the house. I felt now stuck once again between opposing camps in the mother world. You know what I mean - we mom's like to take firm stands on what is best and God have mercy on anyone doing it differently. Instead of being stuck between the stay-at-homes that judge my working, and the working moms that judge the size of my family - I was now stuck between the breast feeding and not. UGH! Regardless I felt like such a failure that I figured everyone was judging me the same way..... all in my mind no doubt, but none the less not a happy feeling. <br /><br />Just a few weeks before Tommy's birthday we found out we were pregnant again. Another bundle of joy! My first fear - would I be able to breast feed this baby or would I go through that all over again? My confidence was shaken and I hadn't quite got it back. A few weeks later the doctor at the hospital said "The baby isn't developing normal..." and a few weeks after that the phone call I took in the kitchen. John standing there as a female voice says to me "he has Down syndrome.....I'm sorry!".... followed once again about my "choices" to solve for the problem. Here I was - worried about weight gain, breast feeding and suddenly I'm hit by lightning - none of that matters - it came down to a matter of will he live or not? how bad is his heart? and what in the world can anyone do to save him? Then in those dark sleepless nights - the crazy thoughts we all get (don't tell me you don't!!) - the "what did I do for this to happen to him?" the childish thoughts of "God is punishing him for something I did - this is all my fault". Then during the day the grin and bear it as people avoid you, walk away or move to the other side of the room and hope you don't notice they exist. I got to the point that hearing "I am so sorry" and "How horrible" was more comforting than being alone. Tack on John lost his job, my dad got terribly sick and I couldn't be there, and I wasn't sure if I would have a job or not post merger. I honestly shut down and went into auto-function mode. Checking things off my to-do list became a drug - that sense of satisfaction that I was doing everything I could possibly do before he arrived so that he had the best odds possible. I researched conditions, asked questions, called hospitals around the country for second and third opinions on his heart, I stared at ultra-sound pictures, I interviewed doctors and had plan A through Z figured out. Surely I had done all I could and this would be ok..... well, for all of you who have followed this blog, you know what happened next - almost 8 weeks in the hospital, pulmonary hypertension, kidney failure, unexplained infections, bad blood counts, failure to thrive, feeding tubes, oxygen tubes, open heart surgery, therapy.....let's just say we were as best prepared as we could be, but you sure just can't plan for everything. The world caught up with me when Peter was 17 months and taken off of oxygen during the day. So three years and two months after I thought my world came tumbling down with Tommy not eating well, I finally felt like I could allow myself to break into a thousand pieces and just cry - cry for the stress, cry for the relief that finally some things were behind us, cry for the joy of having survived. Joy that despite it all Tommy still loved me regardless of the failure I felt, and that Peter could finally breathe on his own at least part of the day. <br /><br />So..... I know that seems like a long way to get to my epiphany this week - but here you go.... I realized that with all we've gone through over the last four years I am having a hard time believing that all is ok with Gretchen. The stress I feel in my shoulders and back is from me constantly being in that bracing mode. Bracing myself for what I don't know.... that fear of what is around the next corner I can't see. That loss of confidence when Peter failed echos and that sense that we were being sucked back into the world of uncertainty. That need to just survive - and not feeling confident I can. Then in the darkness all those horrible little voices in my head....except I wish they would just stay at night..... but now they speak during the day too! UGH! I'm not the wife I thought I would be - happy, encouraging and support....nope, sometimes (often at times) I am the nag, the tears, the complainer. I'm not the mom I thought I would be..... I'm not at home, I don't school my kids - darn, I don't even color, finger paint or make the home made play dough! I don't do fun creative learning things (except we all pile into the kitchen to bake brownies and make ice cream when the good Lord knows if I don't get chocolate the world will end) ....I'm not the ever pulled together mom you see in the magazines with the capacity to be all things to all people and raise perfect kids. Now, to my little defense - I think my kids are great, I do get food on the table and clean clothes on their backs! None the less I dream of being so much more and I feel each day that passes is another day lost. I'm not the friend I thought I would be.... I get too tired to call, fail to invite people over, I forget birthdays and honestly I rarely go out. And yes, since I'm letting it all out...... sometimes I just want the world to go away so that for a day I can have silence!! And selfishly I wish the weight would melt away, my house would self clean, there was always a ton of money in the bank and I had an endless Starbucks gift card! I wish for time, wisdom and confidence to be the mother, daughter, wife and friend I want to be. And while we are at it - I wish for world peace and end to hunger and all the house projects to finally be done!! (All three feel like the same likelihood of being attained!). <br /><br />So.... I promise I don't need to be committed.....this has been eating at me and on another sleepless night I knew I would feel better if I could just let it all out. As with all of us - I have good days and not so good. Days I feel like I can do it all - and days I feel I can't do a thing. Days I thank God for all the blessings, and other days I am so darn mad at Him that I don't feel like talking. I'm human - you're human - and sometimes I remind myself that even those picture perfect moms in magazines are just pictures and we all have our burdens and blessings. And as if to remind me of this - out of no where tonight an old set of keys I had was on my nightstand. Keys to the old PHS building in the Springs that closed some time ago (I bet I can still get in!). Attached was a keychain I thought was one with my name on it. I turned it over in expectation to see "Catherine" and instead what I saw was "God grant me the serenity to accept things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference". Yeah.....even when I doubt, He is there whether I choose to accept the grace or not. So here is to hoping for the wisdom I clearly am lacking at times as I try to change the world in all the wrong places - and wisdom to embrace and find the light in what appears the darkest corners. And since I am still on a roll - here is to going back to bed, actually falling asleep and quiet kids in the morning that won't wake me up!! <br /><br />For those of you that read this far.....thank you for letting me feel like I can just let it all out in the middle of the night and that I'm not alone. <br />Love - catherinecatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-36930333337567690552009-10-03T23:33:00.000-06:002009-10-04T00:34:09.027-06:00Another Family UpdateOk - so I am going to quit saying I have no excuse for not updating the blog - so here is what I consider my semi-valid excuse - I'm a pregnant mom with five kids at home and a full time job - I am tired, worn out, achy and although every night I tell myself I am going to update the blog - when push comes to shove by the time I am done tidying up, putting away dinner, making lunches, cleaning the kitchen, setting out breakfast, packing up school stuff, putting away laundry and setting out little boy clothes I'm wiped out and bed sounds better. And then I guilt the next day that when memory loss kicks in I'll wish I had this blog - about as close to a journal as I have right now ....but so far every night the desire to roll my aching body into bed has outweighed everything else. Pregnancy is wiping me out - clearly I'm not the spring chicken I was when I was carrying Alexandra 15 years ago!!! Speaking of pregnancies - all is going well, the echo's and blood tests we had done all came back very positive. I chose to not have the amnio - and optimistic that all is progressing well. We did get confirmation the baby is a girl - much to the excitement of John and the kids. He's had the name picked out for many years waiting to be used - so our little girl will be Gretchen Anne Krause.....eta January 7th 2010..... however I intend on willing her into the world on December 31st 2009 - no! not for the tax credit, but because I have a PPO plan and I don't want to have to meet my deductible all over again!! Here's that latest pic of Gretchen Anne.<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg_pVQYYtI/AAAAAAAAA_s/FdDDjjuN3Ho/s1600-h/Gretchen+Anne+8-31-2009.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg_pVQYYtI/AAAAAAAAA_s/FdDDjjuN3Ho/s320/Gretchen+Anne+8-31-2009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388626933461836498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px; " /></a><br /> <div><br /></div><div>Working our way up the kid list - Peter. Little man looks like a unicorn right now. We don't know what happened - but he snuck away from Grandma to fight the table and lost some how. All of a sudden we hear his "I'm really really really hurt cry" - I was fighting Alexandra's hair and a curling iron - and could hear Grandma comforting him. By the time I saved Alexandra and me from being burned, poor Peter had a bump literally the size of a golf ball in the middle of his forehead. I seriously don't know how he could of done it!! However, once dinner was served he was distracted and on to new things. Our picky eater who survives on little has found an appetite in the last week or two. He must be getting ready for a growth spurt because I have never seen him eat like he has recently. He can now down a whole toasted cheese sandwich which is amazing for him - and tonight ate about a bowl and a half of mac-n-cheese!! Still will only have yogurt for breakfast - but we are going through it a lot faster lately!! He's still not walking - hints at being interested and then goes right back to bear crawling. He has however picked up quite a few more signs lately - we suspect he's doing more than we realize. Still slow on the vocalizing - but has a few times made animal sounds when we talk about animals - and has made ba sounds when signing book. So I am stretching but we have "da" for dog, "ha" for hi, "taya" for tired, and now possible "ba" for book. I am still very optimistic that one day I will hear him whisper "I love you" in my ear as he gives me his already world famous bear hug! </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg-MTBWxmI/AAAAAAAAA_c/2bCKZqhJOn0/s1600-h/IMG_2334.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg-MTBWxmI/AAAAAAAAA_c/2bCKZqhJOn0/s320/IMG_2334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388625335134111330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tommy and Jack - well - I have to lump the dynamic duo together. They really are best buds like buds should be! They have so much fun together...... Jack is loving 1st grade and is coming along with his reading. He is doing flag football this fall - and much to my embarrassment I have to admit he's the hyperactive unfocused but extremely excited little kid on the team. He doesn't lack for energy - but is clearly lacking in focus..... just need to keep working on it. Tommy is at Corpus Christi with Jack and now has his own little group of friends. Of course he claims Jack's friends as his own too - and loves to see his big brother at school with him. Tommy has amazed his teachers with how smart he is - he was recently tested for letter recognition. While the other kids recognized 5-6 letters in the alphabet - Tommy had well over 20 almost nailing the whole alphabet. He can tell us how to spell his name and is constantly pulling out letters that others' names start with. He fights wanting to write or color or draw - but I think is ready to start working on sounding out letters and early reading skills. Tom-Tom did turn 4 just a few days ago - and we have his party tomorrow. Here is the Jack-Tommy team during one of their many play sessions. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg9ZjZKodI/AAAAAAAAA_U/Vr0yMFS83fg/s1600-h/IMG_5304.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg9ZjZKodI/AAAAAAAAA_U/Vr0yMFS83fg/s320/IMG_5304.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388624463355617746" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Michael switched schools - and while I was very hesitant I must admit I have never seen him happier. He was mad about the move until about first day of school - and has since embraced the new setting. He's very excited about what he's learning and the style of teaching. Amongst his subjects is Latin which he is picking up so fast. Of course he loves to bring his book to the dinner table and test our latin skills..... thank goodness for my background in Spanish or I think I would flunk out of Michael's grilling us!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg-MwRuArI/AAAAAAAAA_k/2iNXo8nbqoQ/s1600-h/IMG_5141.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg-MwRuArI/AAAAAAAAA_k/2iNXo8nbqoQ/s320/IMG_5141.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388625342987371186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Alexandra just called me to check in..... she's headed over to a friend's house for a sleep over following her first Homecoming Dance in high school. She too is really enjoying school this year - her group of friends - and playing softball. She's really picked up the sport - and we enjoy watching her play when we can make it (not always easy with conflicting schedules). She did get asked by a boy to the dance - which made her feel special. He's new to the area - but she considers him a FRIEND. All my brainwashing techniques are paying off as she let John and I know that she is not ready to date - doesn't want to date - but hopes to have a group of friends girls and boys that she can hang with. She's definitely on her way there. Here is is getting her corsage...... she looked beautiful. She reported in to let me know she was exhausted, headed over to the sleepover and will tell me ALL about it tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg9Yz_MUGI/AAAAAAAAA_M/rHCuFeT6DxM/s1600-h/IMG_5361.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Ssg9Yz_MUGI/AAAAAAAAA_M/rHCuFeT6DxM/s320/IMG_5361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388624450630209634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway - I'm pooped. John is up in the mountains fishing this weekend - and after homecoming, a softball double header for Alexandra and having a birthday party to organize tomorrow, I think Gretchen and I need some rest. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love to all - </div><div>catherine</div></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-69792497423318193432009-08-24T23:28:00.000-06:002009-08-24T23:29:35.820-06:00Echo & Buddy Walk Updates.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">It is late, and I am tired.....so no long stories or pictures tonight. My back is sore from taking laundry up and down the stairs....with so many of us it is quite the daily project!! Anyway good news, and great news. Good news - Buddy Walk was this weekend. A huge THANK YOU to all of you who supported us - we really do appreciate each of you!! And of course huge appreciation for Adam, Mindy and little Thad who have joined us each year. First year Mindy was pregnant, last year Thad was a wee one, and this year he was a walker!! We were also joined by my parents - and I think for them it was awesome and overwhelming to see the sheer volume of people who come out to support DS awareness. The weather was perfect again - and we had a great time! Great news - Peter finally had his follow up echo today. Following two bad echos there was a lot of pressure on the one today. Sort of that crossroads for him medically. I didn't realize how stressed I was until I was on work calls ahead of his appointment and could barely talk because I so desperately wanted to cry. It was however as if Peter knew how it would go because he was full of smiles and laughter the whole ride down. The echo took about 3 times longer than normal, followed by and EKG and regular stats reporting. But, after the eternity of tests the outcome was positive. Peter's pulmonary pressures are once again normal. Not only that, but Dr. Duster said this was the best he has EVER seen or heard Peter. He felt very optimistic - so much so that he doesn't want to do a re-check for 9 to 12 months - and hope he won't see us over the winter if Peter gets sick. Not sure I'm ready to go that long with out Dr. Duster .... but we will try! Anyway - Alexandra was hogging the computer on homework, and I wanted to get the update out. Promise to post pictures soon - but I need to get to bed. Almost 21 weeks along now and Lord knows baby and I need a bit more sleep than we are getting. Love to all - thank you for all your prayers - God continues to give us miracles through Peter!! catherine</span>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-19497849498743133982009-08-08T20:05:00.000-06:002009-08-08T20:26:57.094-06:00Peter's NICU Reunion for St. Francis (Colorado Springs)All of our boys have been born in Colorado Springs, and all of them at Penrose St. Francis - Community Hospital. Peter being no exception. He spent one week there at the NICU before getting transferred to The Children's Hospital in Denver. While we were at St. Francis many special folks took care of Peter! We always remember fondly staff and have so often thought of visiting and taking cookies - or going on Peter's birthday.... but good intentions never followed through on. Well, then the hospital closed and moved to a new facility in town - the St. Francis Medical Center with amazing views of the front range and Pikes Peak. <div><br /></div><div>The NICU team through a NICU reunion today to celebrate the first year of the new facility being open. There were four people I was hoping to see there - Dr. Prado (Meg), Susan, Birdie and Helen. Dr. Prado had just moved to Colorado shortly before Peter's birth - moving here from Miami. We felt and instant connection with her - and appreciated the very personal care Peter got. Susan, Birdie and Helen were the chief nurses that ran the NICU and covered all the shifts. Each is different and special, but we felt that to them our child was Peter - not a baby with DS, not a cardiac case, not a very sick baby - but rather Peter that happened to be all these other things too. Anyway - they have been in our hearts since the one week they cared for Peter - and it was great to see them again today and have an opportunity to thank them for the care they gave him and us!! </div><div><br /></div><div>We would remember them always, and recognize them in a crowd because of what they did for us. But, we knew also they have taken care of thousands of babies over the years. Yet, as we walked up to Dr. Prado and Susan with her, we said "Not sure if you remember us..." and before I could finish she said "How could we forget you Catherine!". She remembered Peter by name too - asked how he was doing - and they both smiled huge to see how far he has come from the one week in May of 2007. It warmed my heart to hear them talk of Peter - they even remembered that Dr. McCaffery was his pediatrician - and said how often they thought of us and hoped Peter was well. Sniff sniff.... it is those moments in life that mean so much! </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sn4zKumxITI/AAAAAAAAA-c/2cWaxlPYWRc/s320/IMG_5068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367784065274552626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div>Peter &amp; Dr. Prado</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sn4zLsE2VXI/AAAAAAAAA-s/rVPax8KNIDg/s1600-h/IMG_5081.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sn4zLsE2VXI/AAAAAAAAA-s/rVPax8KNIDg/s320/IMG_5081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367784081775285618" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Peter &amp; Susan</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sn4zLBtaPII/AAAAAAAAA-k/qHv7EZcegbI/s1600-h/IMG_5067.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sn4zLBtaPII/AAAAAAAAA-k/qHv7EZcegbI/s320/IMG_5067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367784070402686082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Helen, me, Peter, and Birdie</div><div><br /></div><div>Peter has his echo scheduled for this Monday - but we think we are going to have to reschedule. Jack got a cold earlier in the week and we have been praying for Peter to stay healthy. But today he woke up with a bit of a runny nose and tonight has been more snotty. I too am starting to feel the congestion - so think we will need to reschedule to when he is feeling better. My next ultra-sound is scheduled for the 26th - so will let you know how it goes and if they can confirm baby is a girl (or not). </div><div><br /></div><div>Buddy Walk is in two weeks - hope you can join us!! My parents will be here - so we are incredibly excited to have them be there. And in true tradition the Youngers are joining with Thad..... he was still in Mindy's tummy the first time we walked! Now he'll be walking across the finish line on his own. We hoped Peter would too - but walking is something we are still working on. Peter took two steps completely on his own last night for the first time.... we have a way to go but it is great to see him try again.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sn4zKYCXYnI/AAAAAAAAA-U/hQlXnV1rjjI/s1600-h/IMG_5066.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sn4zKYCXYnI/AAAAAAAAA-U/hQlXnV1rjjI/s320/IMG_5066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367784059216290418" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Love to all - </div><div>catherine</div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-2357773776114944402009-08-03T23:33:00.000-06:002009-08-03T23:44:36.710-06:00Please support our Buddy Walk team - Go Team Peter Bear!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Dear Friends and Family,<br /><br />On Saturday, August 22, we will be walking in the Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Assn (CSDSA) Buddy Walk to show our support for the more than 350,000 individuals with Down syndrome in the United States. I (Catherine) have signed up to be a team captain and want to do my part to make sure that each individual is given every opportunity to reach his or her full potential.<br /><br />Every step our family takes, every dollar we raise, will help ensure that each individual with Down syndrome in the United States - like our Peter Bear - will be able to do just that. Last year alone, over $6.5 million dollars was raised nationwide for local and national education, research and advocacy programs.<br /><br />We are asking you to Buddy Walk with us to make a difference for Peter and people with Down syndrome in our community. For just $12 you can register to join our team - this includes breakfast, t-shirt, lunch, great activities and a walk! Kids under 12 register for $3 and get all the same great benefits! We greatly appreciate even the smallest of donations by those too far to walk with us. Being on the CSDSA Board I know what we do in our community, and how much more we can do!! We know times are tight and a donation can be tough - but we ask that you please join us for the walk regardless - walking with us is a priceless support for our family!!<br /><br />Click on <a href="http://buddywalk.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&amp;i=316900&amp;u=316900-262860619&amp;e=2589260244">http://buddywalk.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&amp;i=316900&amp;u=316900-262860619&amp;e=2589260244</a> to visit our family Buddy Walk page and join our team today! Go Team Peter Bear!! (if the link doesn't work - copy and paste into your web browser)<br /><br />NOTE: If you will be registering more than one person and joining our team, please go to <a href="http://buddywalk.kintera.org/csdsa">http://buddywalk.kintera.org/csdsa</a> and click on "Register Here" and then "Register A Family". You will then be able to select my team and register your family.<br /><br />Please share this information with your friends and family - the more support we can raise, the greater the opportunity for the future of our community and all individuals!<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SnfKApJnbAI/AAAAAAAAA-M/YH4YBQRhbco/s1600-h/IMG_4810.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SnfKApJnbAI/AAAAAAAAA-M/YH4YBQRhbco/s320/IMG_4810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365979593430232066" style="cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Come walk with us!<br />Many blessings -<br />The very proud Krause family!</span></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-34900418143017021762009-07-19T22:39:00.000-06:002009-07-19T23:03:36.662-06:00Where did June go? and most of July?<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I know I sound like a broken record - but often I say - "I really should update CP and the blog tonight"... then tonight gets busy, late, tired, a work night, etc - and it slips off the "must do" list and onto the "wish I could" list. So admittedly while I am really tired and could go to bed I'm not. First, because I will be mad if I don't do this, and second because I have a pile of laundry on my bed waiting to get put away yet the laundry fairies have not yet showed up. Oh I could use some fairies around here to keep all clean, tidy and put away! But, alas until they move in I need to keep doing this :-) So.... since there is so much to share I need to do cliff notes version once again!! </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', fantasy; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; white-space: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4ucWezUI/AAAAAAAAA9c/k3FdlA8AiIc/s1600-h/IMG_4915.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4ucWezUI/AAAAAAAAA9c/k3FdlA8AiIc/s320/IMG_4915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360401458269179202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', fantasy; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; white-space: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4ucWezUI/AAAAAAAAA9c/k3FdlA8AiIc/s1600-h/IMG_4915.JPG"></a></span>Alexandra - school is over and summer ball began. Alexandra played softball for St. Mary's HS in prep for the fall. She really enjoyed it and made a few new friends going into a new school. She also took a HS prep class - which I question the usefulness of to be honest - but oh well, she is one step closer. Her schedule is set and she is itching to go shopping - this will be first time with no school uniform!! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2ddsD2rI/AAAAAAAAA88/pioK-rg_e24/s1600-h/IMG_4342.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2ddsD2rI/AAAAAAAAA88/pioK-rg_e24/s320/IMG_4342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360398967547091634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2ddsD2rI/AAAAAAAAA88/pioK-rg_e24/s1600-h/IMG_4342.JPG"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Michael - also played ball! Baseball season followed Alexandra's. Michael had a good time, but is still certain he prefers basketball. He didn't have much luck his one painful attempt at pitcher, but did great up to bat and out in the field. He's not yet facing the new school in the fall..... i think hoping summer will last for ever! So far he has not dusted off his flippers for the pool (really not sure why) but has now got Jack into the mode of using snorkel type goggles to the pool. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2eX7RmLI/AAAAAAAAA9U/ETj_5PZCqDE/s1600-h/IMG_4827.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2eX7RmLI/AAAAAAAAA9U/ETj_5PZCqDE/s320/IMG_4827.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360398983180163250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2d7EKzmI/AAAAAAAAA9M/KIxV_8snoaU/s1600-h/FH000022.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2d7EKzmI/AAAAAAAAA9M/KIxV_8snoaU/s320/FH000022.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360398975432838754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jack and Tommy - I lump them together because they are attached at the hip for all the ups and downs of summer days! Of course the matching cowboy boots are a must - but while Tommy will alternate into flip flops for the pool, or tennis shoes for playing, Jack insists on using his boots for everything. They are terribly worn out and can stink a room out. I am hoping fairies will show up in the middle of the night and take them to cowboy boot graveyard. Alas.... we still wait for fairies. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2dAs6qiI/AAAAAAAAA80/3E1QqvuYrx0/s1600-h/IMG_4320.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2dAs6qiI/AAAAAAAAA80/3E1QqvuYrx0/s320/IMG_4320.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360398959766055458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2dAs6qiI/AAAAAAAAA80/3E1QqvuYrx0/s1600-h/IMG_4320.JPG"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And Peter - well - there is so much to tell here! Good bad and everything in between. So let's start with the not so good and move on to better! The lowest low is Peter had his follow up echo and is still not "normal". His saturation rates were normal again - so that was good, but his pulmonary pressures while better were still elevated and out of the normal range. As luck would go there was another storm rolling into town while he was having his echo done, but two bad echos in a row didn't make the doctor comfortable writing it off as due to barometric pressures. August 10th Peter goes back for a third and final attempt. This time in the morning - hoping to avoid the chance of a storm. We hope he stays healthy between now and then for it! If it goes well, we are ok. If not then he will need to go into the hospital for a heart cath. The purpose being to get true pulmonary pressures within the heart as opposed to at skin level with the echo. It scares me to have him under sedation since we know mild sedation caused his oxygen saturation rates to drop drastically and he was not responding to increase in oxygen. Please please please - lots of prayer for Peter!! Also Peter is on another self induced diet.... hopefully just the heat - but he is not interested in eating again. Ugh!! Peter - come on little dude!! On the up side he continues to persist in his attempts to stand unassisted and walk - while admittedly bear crawling at 100 miles an hour proves to be more exciting for him! He is also starting to sign a bit more and took us completely by surprise when he looked out the car window on our trip to Montana and not only signed "cow" but also did "mmmmm" when I asked him what sound a cow makes. Totally awesome! While on our trip he took a dip in the big pool and found he liked it more than he thought he would - so that is exciting. And the up up for this week - he can now do the hand movements for his favorite song from beginning to end - The Itsy Bitsy Spider. Oh does he love that song! Replaced Ba ba black sheep as his favorite - and will cheer him up no matter what!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2dpxFaoI/AAAAAAAAA9E/OeJ53SeKlyQ/s1600-h/IMG_4393.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2dpxFaoI/AAAAAAAAA9E/OeJ53SeKlyQ/s320/IMG_4393.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360398970789390978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4vSVrKhI/AAAAAAAAA90/QHZ1VnJlZzs/s1600-h/IMG_4487.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4vSVrKhI/AAAAAAAAA90/QHZ1VnJlZzs/s320/IMG_4487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360401472761309714" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP2dpxFaoI/AAAAAAAAA9E/OeJ53SeKlyQ/s1600-h/IMG_4393.JPG"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Family news - first, we took our pilgrimage up to Montana. The trip rushed by and we didn't get to look up everyone we wanted, or do all we wanted - but thus are packed family trips. All in all we had a great time! John got in several rounds of golf which is always precious time for him. Alexandra made a few friends at the lake, took on a bit of rafting, got in a round of golf with John and a date night with him to the theater in Bigfork. Michael also got a round of golf in with John, ventured out in the lake on his own for a bit, but most enjoyed the family center with pool, shuffle board and a TV (let's face it - it was the TV!). Jack went on his first rafting trip which was exciting - it was Alexandra, Michael, Jack and myself - pretty mild rafting trip but he was excited we got up to class 2 rapids! Tom-Tom loved the time at the lake and playing in the pool. I think given a choice he would have spent the whole vacation in the water. Not sure Peter felt the same - but he did enjoy the pool time. He loved being at the parks and just crawling around - I think not being in the car was his favorite part! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; white-space: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4u_gZigI/AAAAAAAAA9s/wJd6Q1dp4JA/s1600-h/IMG_4441.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4u_gZigI/AAAAAAAAA9s/wJd6Q1dp4JA/s320/IMG_4441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360401467706018306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4ugGg2lI/AAAAAAAAA9k/YunDh-yWwbY/s1600-h/IMG_4551.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4ugGg2lI/AAAAAAAAA9k/YunDh-yWwbY/s320/IMG_4551.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360401459275946578" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4ugGg2lI/AAAAAAAAA9k/YunDh-yWwbY/s1600-h/IMG_4551.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Other family news - Peter is going to be a big brother! John and I have known for a while, but opted to not tell anyone until we could go through some of the initial screening. We know how stressful Peter's diagnosis was on us and the family, and we didn't want the uncertainty of this baby's health to put stress on our friends and family (YOU!). We are about 15 weeks along now and so far all is going well. We did the initial ultra-sound and blood test screening at the hospital and all came back very well - baby appears to be healthy and developing normally. These were the same tests that let us know Peter would have special needs. Baby seems to be following family tradition of being big as the hospital thinks I'm off by a week or so in my dates. Clearly they don't know how anal I am and that my dates are NEVER off when it comes to things ladies deal with monthly! Oh well. So baby ETA is first week of January - but likely to come a little sooner. And.... drum roll.... at first glance baby appears to be a girl!! John and the boys are dueling it out on baby names. The boys want "Annie" and John wants "Gretchen". So likely to be Anne Gretchen or Gretchen Anne. Watch it be a boy!! And, before you speedily reply to this post let me end with this. Yes, no, so far so good, looking healthy, yep we are serious, lots of prayers! That answers the a) are you serious? b) are you crazy? c) how are you feeling? d) really, how is the baby doing? e) ok... taking a breathe here.... are you really serious??!! and f) what do you need? ( hoping someone might be over the shock and asking that!). We really do ask that you keep us all in your prayers - but especially Peter and baby #6's health, and the grace and happiness we hope for all our kids. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; white-space: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4vpH5LZI/AAAAAAAAA98/GZSvY0dLBhE/s1600-h/baby_0001.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4vpH5LZI/AAAAAAAAA98/GZSvY0dLBhE/s320/baby_0001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360401478877523346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; white-space: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SmP4vpH5LZI/AAAAAAAAA98/GZSvY0dLBhE/s1600-h/baby_0001.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy; white-space: pre-wrap; ">And, I promise to do my best to update this sooner than 6 weeks! Hoping to get back to weekly or every other week. Peter is keeping John and I up tonight.... wants to party like its 1999..... so going to go relieve John and see if I can get some snuggle time in (well, after I do my laundry fairy duty!). </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Love to all - catherine</span></span></div></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-18191003003453596952009-06-02T21:59:00.000-06:002009-06-02T23:09:20.940-06:00Where did May go?<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> can't believe it is June.... seriously - where did May go? I am worn out, totally exhausted - not eating right, not drinking enough water and broke my exercise routine. I know where May is..... walking away and leaving me drained. What a month! So.... let me try and recap: </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 - John took an 5 night a week course for the whole month of April to become a CNA (certified nursing assistant). In May he took his state exam and passed - yeah John!! He has since been hired on by a local agency in the Springs and assigned to Peter. Because Peter's gaps continue to broaden between him and typical kids - the state will assign him a CNA to handle his care. Fortunately for us parents are able to do it - so we have the comfort of knowing John is still caring for Peter during the day and has the training to support him from a medical perspective based on Peter's needs. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2- Alexandra - this was a crazy busy month for my princess.... she was accepted to St. Mary's High School - a college prep in town earlier this year. She took some testing and actually was able to test up into higher level spanish and english classes. She also joined the school's softball team despite not having played before - training has started and actually as I type she is at her first game with John and Michael....8:45pm game is a little late for the little boys. This last week Alexandra graduated from Corpus Christi Catholic School - she graduated with high honors and we hear was in running for valedictorian but didn't get it. I think she is glad to be done with school. Friday she received her confirmation - another big milestone in her growing up! She continues to tower over me and gets more beautiful by the day. She is doing acting again this summer and really looking forward to it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCFjKc8tI/AAAAAAAAA48/xk1Ir9UWr3Q/s1600-h/IMG_4097.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCFjKc8tI/AAAAAAAAA48/xk1Ir9UWr3Q/s320/IMG_4097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342960302283354834" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCFOv0ifI/AAAAAAAAA40/pxD3IBvOmFo/s320/IMG_4161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342960296802945522" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3- Michael - a bit of a quieter month for him thank goodness. He did graduate 5th grade which was bitter sweet for him. We are moving him to a charter school in the fall which he is not too excited about it. He is going to miss his friends! So while he is excited to have summer break - he also knew he wouldn't be going back in August and that made him sad. We have agreed that he will try the charter school out for a year - following a very traditional curriculum. If after a year it is not a good fit, then he can go back to CC. Michael has started baseball for the summer - games start next week. He is very excited about that. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCFwH4f6I/AAAAAAAAA5E/Hl-W-LFlA5Q/s1600-h/IMG_4121.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCFwH4f6I/AAAAAAAAA5E/Hl-W-LFlA5Q/s320/IMG_4121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342960305762238370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4 - Jack - I bet school is glad to get a break from my incredibly loving but terribly mischievous young boy. Hate to admit it - but this month he got himself kicked out of school for a day.... he hit someone he thought had stepped on his lunch, then hit another kid he felt was sitting where only the teacher should be. He has been working so hard on controlling himself, using "I" statements to explain his feelings, counting down when angry... all the techniques he's been learning. But, he had a bad day and I had to go pick him up from school. Now I feel cruel admitting this, but I went to Starbucks after picking him up - got myself a drink and he wasn't allowed to get his traditional cup of whip cream. I think that was torture for him - but he did say "I assume I don't get whip cream today".... to which I said "You're right". No temper tantrum, he took it like a big boy but was very very very disappointed. He was sad school was over and says he's ready for first grade... we shall see if first grade is ready for this bundle of energy. He has asked to take tap dance classes - so we are going to look into it - may be a good outlet for those constantly on the move feet of his. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCGPQXwuI/AAAAAAAAA5M/KEf2zescqq0/s1600-h/IMG_4029.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCGPQXwuI/AAAAAAAAA5M/KEf2zescqq0/s320/IMG_4029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342960314119340770" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5 - Tom-Tom - what a character! He is so excited to have his siblings home for the summer. I have noticed such a change in the last week since Jack wrapped up school. Tom-Tom and Jack are attached at the hip and it has brought out the tough side in Tommy. The part John and I enjoy the most is being in the other room and hearing them create their fantasy worlds again..... the burning lava, the sharks circling the couches - space communicators, flying ships and all else their big imaginations create for them. Tommy is having the time of his life having them home - despite of course the occasional drama moment most siblings have - right? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCGcbCV_I/AAAAAAAAA5U/rwAcp1Nh5go/s1600-h/IMG_4039.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYCGcbCV_I/AAAAAAAAA5U/rwAcp1Nh5go/s320/IMG_4039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342960317653735410" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 6 - Peter - how to fit it all in?? I'll follow my sorority tradition with pro-con-pro approach to this update. First pro: Peter turned 2. WOW!! Two years since he rushed into the world and established himself as a NICU favorite. Two years since the day my heart soared with his birth and cracked with the fear of loosing him. Seems so long ago with my little international traveller - I honestly don't remember my life without him. Peter interestingly doesn't really like sweets - so we celebrated for him! He does however love salty food - so show him a fishy cracker and he is inhaling it!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The con: and this does technically fall in June but - might as well get it out there since today is my assigned day to be ok being sad. We had Peter's follow up cardiologist appointment yesterday. It didn't go well. His oxygen sats were low, and his pulmonary pressures were elevated almost to where they were post heart surgery. So well out of the "normal" range. As the doc recorded his notes he added Pulmonary Hypertension back to what seems like the never ending list of diagnosis for Peter. My heart broke! We don't know why his numbers are up - and he needs to go back in a month. Peter continues to have a reactive pulmonary bed, so it may be as simple as a combination of the cold he seems to have and the storm that was coming in during his echo. Yep, doc says storms can mess with little kids like Peter making their sats drop and pressure rise. On the opposite end of the spectrum it could be heart/lungs/etc. Today I am just sad - and tomorrow pick back up with moving forward. At this point we are going to get through the cold that seems to have got worse today, we will do an overnight O2 sats study and home, and then in July go back for another echo. We are going to try and schedule an overnight sleep study for later in the summer to see if adenoids/tonsil/other are complicating it further. Doc considered putting Peter back on oxygen during the day - but recognized that would be about impossible. So for now we have doubled his oxygen at night and need to check his sats, etc. What can I say - I'm sad - I really thought we were through this challenge. Doc said we will be dealing with this the rest of Peter's life - he will have to go for regular cardiac check ups for ever. Sort of daunting really. Can't hold onto that "when xyz happens, this will be over". No such thing as really getting over it - but I still hope it will get better and he can lead a normal life off of oxygen. Prayers please!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The pro: Peter is getting closer to walking!! Now - keep in mind, closer in our world means much longer than with a typical kid.... but he is working on it! He will push anything that moves and getting quite fast at it. He is cruising where possible and bear crawls all over. His latest challenge is working on balance. He will push or pull up to stand and then just stand unassisted. Lasts but a couple of seconds - but he is sooooo proud of himself. And he does it constantly! He just continues to persevere and fight forward. He is trying so hard to talk and trying out sounds. He added "hungry" to his sign language repertoire. He's doing better with eating (knock on wood) - and is feeding himself off a fork. We put the food on the fork - he will put it in his mouth and pull the food off - then he will put the fork down as a sign he is ready for more food on it. He loves steak and any pasta with alfredo sauce.... just like his dad! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEOsQfLKI/AAAAAAAAA50/x9CjMFSL4sM/s1600-h/IMG_4202.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEOqMY83I/AAAAAAAAA5s/kGNe-HpFw-Y/s1600-h/IMG_4197.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEOqMY83I/AAAAAAAAA5s/kGNe-HpFw-Y/s320/IMG_4197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342962657812607858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEONDLxfI/AAAAAAAAA5c/7HwJ6lwH_8s/s1600-h/IMG_4116.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEOsQfLKI/AAAAAAAAA50/x9CjMFSL4sM/s320/IMG_4202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342962658366663842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEONDLxfI/AAAAAAAAA5c/7HwJ6lwH_8s/s1600-h/IMG_4116.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEONDLxfI/AAAAAAAAA5c/7HwJ6lwH_8s/s320/IMG_4116.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342962649989367282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEOQSlD8I/AAAAAAAAA5k/pyrjgXtgjf0/s1600-h/IMG_4191.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SiYEOQSlD8I/AAAAAAAAA5k/pyrjgXtgjf0/s320/IMG_4191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342962650859245506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anyway - John, Michael and Alexandra are now home. It is late - I can go to bed knowing all are home safe. Peter is tucked with his oxygen on. Jack and Tommy are finally asleep - but in my room - so John is carrying them to bed. I got no sleep last night after the cardiologist - so hoping for a bit of restful sleep tonight. I am including photos - but think I am missing some on my PC. So please check out the blog again for more photos and will try to get more posted in the next day or so. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Love to all - catherine</span></span></div></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-58613436860130254922009-05-02T14:56:00.001-06:002009-05-02T15:01:56.138-06:00Peter is almost two!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peter will turn two in a week. While he isn't doing all I thought he might this time last year - I am thankful for all that he is doing, able to do, and trying to do. This is going to be pretty short as it is a crazy Saturday at the Krause house!! But I had to share these new pics. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sfy0P7BLcTI/AAAAAAAAA4s/bFqf4utVf0A/s1600-h/IMG_3662.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sfy0P7BLcTI/AAAAAAAAA4s/bFqf4utVf0A/s320/IMG_3662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331334244533498162" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sfy0PsVO09I/AAAAAAAAA4k/d5mC-_5f3b4/s1600-h/IMG_3821.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/Sfy0PsVO09I/AAAAAAAAA4k/d5mC-_5f3b4/s320/IMG_3821.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331334240591074258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">John gave Peter a new very short haircut.... and he looks so much older as a result. He is still such a tiny little peanut - people think he's coming up to his 1st birthday, not his second - but oh well. I guess skill wise he is about at that level - so I can see why people would assume that. Next picture is Peter's big heart and naughty side all wrapped together. Peter loves his baths..... he and Tommy could spend hours just playing in the bath, pouring water, and trying to swim. John has been taking a night class every night during April - which made the month a bit crazy for all. Well, I was trying to get through the evening. I told Peter it was bath time and I had to get the towels, PJ's ready, his diaper, etc. In about a split second Peter had climbed into the bath and had the water running. Hmmmm!! I know this could be scary - and while he was naughty climbing into the bath with all his clothes on - I feel like in his little heart he was just trying to help get through the evening. I am very thankful nothing happened in that split second but suffice to say the bathroom doors all stay closed now. Anyway - need to get back to the madness, but wanted to share these new photos. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Also, wanted to ask you to pray for my friend Jaime. His wife was diagnosed with an unusual form of kidney cancer last fall, she has been in extreme pain, but this week lost her battle. I found myself crying for a woman I have never met, and for a wonderful man I am thankful I had the opportunity to work with several years ago. The way he spoke of her was very special - and truly reflective of a great lady. Please keep them, their children and family in your prayers. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Love - catherine</span></span></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-32644454018864411602009-04-26T18:41:00.000-06:002009-04-26T19:34:15.871-06:00Happy 6th Birthday Jack!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Today Jack turned 6!! </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG8te_7jI/AAAAAAAAA3M/C9qMMvWa2XY/s1600-h/IMG_3664.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG8te_7jI/AAAAAAAAA3M/C9qMMvWa2XY/s320/IMG_3664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329173374134382130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG88QO5rI/AAAAAAAAA3U/do11DXISwj4/s1600-h/IMG_3680.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG88QO5rI/AAAAAAAAA3U/do11DXISwj4/s320/IMG_3680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329173378098980530" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Jack.... born to rock!... and he loves to "head bang" to hard rock music!"</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Amazing to think how much as a family we have gone through since he rushed into the world.... literally did rush right into the world. Labor was less than an hour, and our friend Marj rushed over to take care of Alexandra &amp; Michael. John drove like a bat out of hell to get to the hospital. By then I could not stand up straight if you had offered me a million dollars. Nice nurse came out with a wheel chair, and took me for a leisurely stroll through the hospital. Had I been able to sit up straight I would have had a true face to face with her to explain the situation. Suffice to say by the time I got into the room and the "checked" me they realized I was not faking. The doctor came in and Jack rushed into the world 9 minutes after John raced into the hospital parking lot on two wheels. Jack.... our little man with elf ears and a constant twinkle in his eyes. And, now, he's 6. His ears are a little less elfish, but his twinkle has become a full fledged mischievous young boy. Jack has yet to discover his inside voice, can't sit still for more than a second and lives life with a passion most don't learn in a lifetime. It is inspiring and draining all at the same time! His "drama" is exhausting, and a times discouraging.... but his laughter truly comes from his gut and is contagious. His smile lights up a room, and the twinkle in his eye when he is truly enjoying something is so innocent and so wonderful. He loves life, and enjoys staying busy. He can marvel at the smallest bug in the yard, or the biggest animal at the zoo. Deep down inside he loves us all - but we can most see it when he plays imaginary world with Tommy. When our sofa cushions (or what is left of them) become spaceships, or mountains, or castles, or race cars, or pirate ships or volcanoes. When he can create a world of words that sucks Tommy in and they go on wild adventures. And then when he tries to explain the world with Peter so that he won't melt in the lava, be eaten my sharks or kidnapped by pirates..... of course Peter is just Peter and smiles and laughs but does all the wrong moves.... leading Jack the best he can to carry Peter from danger and give him a good "talking to" as Peter smiles and laughs. Now the three of them share a room and no doubt there will be many more times after the lights are out when Jack will again say goodnight to the dinosaurs under the bed or the angels that watch over them when they sleep. He's a cool kid! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Today Jack had a Spiderman birthday party at home. As we planned it out, he actually wanted a Star Wars party - know why? because it is what we did last year and he loved it so much he wanted this year to be exactly the same! I did talk him into changing the theme, but all else was pretty close..... his friends arrived around 2pm and played outside. We then did races, obstacle course and water balloon toss/catch (instead of eggs that ended up all over the yard last year). Alexandra did a "guess what is in the gym bag" team game, and Michael egged everyone on for the pinata. By then the cold front started to come in, so the kids came in and tried the "pin the web on Spiderman" - last year we did "pin the light saber on Luke Skywalker". The kids then had a lot of frosting with cake (my cake crumbled and I kept it together with a lot, lot, lot, lot of frosting). The cake was one layer yellow, one layer chocolate and had a Spiderman action figure on the top. Jack loved it!! I used little candy letters to spell out "Happy 6 Birthday Jack" on the cake..... so of course he wanted a slice big enough to get all the letters in his name. And he can spell..... so there was no getting away with it. Thank goodness he only has 4 letters in his name! Then they moved on to present opening - as each kid took turns sitting in the big chair with Jack as he opened the gift they brought. Jack loved all of them - and I was so proud of my other kids for not getting the little green bug of jealousy like sometimes happens. They all were genuinely excited for Jack and wanted the party to turn our great. Well, all but Peter who slept through the whole event. Kids left around 4. I got a paper plates, cups, napkins, and table cloth. So, in about 15 seconds it was all picked up and thrown out (sorry mother earth) and we could just enjoy. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9gIWSjI/AAAAAAAAA3s/F3DSRa4eApY/s1600-h/IMG_3767.JPG"></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9gIWSjI/AAAAAAAAA3s/F3DSRa4eApY/s1600-h/IMG_3767.JPG">Pi~nata Time!</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9gIWSjI/AAAAAAAAA3s/F3DSRa4eApY/s1600-h/IMG_3767.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9gIWSjI/AAAAAAAAA3s/F3DSRa4eApY/s320/IMG_3767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329173387729586738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJXNXmSqI/AAAAAAAAA4E/1qp2sSIs0Mk/s1600-h/IMG_3755.JPG"> <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJXNXmSqI/AAAAAAAAA4E/1qp2sSIs0Mk/s320/IMG_3755.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329176028393130658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9RtK-rI/AAAAAAAAA3k/bpXVulu3DHQ/s1600-h/IMG_3726.JPG"></a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9RtK-rI/AAAAAAAAA3k/bpXVulu3DHQ/s1600-h/IMG_3726.JPG">Balloon toss</a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9RtK-rI/AAAAAAAAA3k/bpXVulu3DHQ/s1600-h/IMG_3726.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9RtK-rI/AAAAAAAAA3k/bpXVulu3DHQ/s320/IMG_3726.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329173383857502898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJV0Ped2I/AAAAAAAAA30/mNeD1_zRaz8/s1600-h/IMG_3785.JPG"></a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJV0Ped2I/AAAAAAAAA30/mNeD1_zRaz8/s1600-h/IMG_3785.JPG">Pin the web on Spiderman <img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJV0Ped2I/AAAAAAAAA30/mNeD1_zRaz8/s320/IMG_3785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329176004468307810" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9P1rkdI/AAAAAAAAA3c/Pc0PWgrwqBU/s1600-h/IMG_3700.JPG"></a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9P1rkdI/AAAAAAAAA3c/Pc0PWgrwqBU/s1600-h/IMG_3700.JPG">Race time <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUG9P1rkdI/AAAAAAAAA3c/Pc0PWgrwqBU/s320/IMG_3700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329173383356322258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJXo0XdOI/AAAAAAAAA4M/5DT_jypBIqU/s1600-h/IMG_3790.JPG"> </a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;">Cake time!! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJW2WVuBI/AAAAAAAAA38/CX989noyFJE/s320/IMG_3740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329176022213834770" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJXo0XdOI/AAAAAAAAA4M/5DT_jypBIqU/s1600-h/IMG_3790.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJXo0XdOI/AAAAAAAAA4M/5DT_jypBIqU/s320/IMG_3790.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329176035761550562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJX_cOlLI/AAAAAAAAA4U/K5GrrCZvvbw/s1600-h/IMG_3801.JPG"></a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJX_cOlLI/AAAAAAAAA4U/K5GrrCZvvbw/s1600-h/IMG_3801.JPG">Sitting in the present opening chair with too little buddies who call him "Jacky"</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJX_cOlLI/AAAAAAAAA4U/K5GrrCZvvbw/s1600-h/IMG_3801.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJX_cOlLI/AAAAAAAAA4U/K5GrrCZvvbw/s320/IMG_3801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329176041834321074" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SfUJW2WVuBI/AAAAAAAAA38/CX989noyFJE/s1600-h/IMG_3740.JPG"> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Michael and Jack snuck upstairs with a Bionicle that Jack got as a gift, and now he sits on the book shelf in Jack's room watching over their fantasy world. Right now John is getting the kids through the showers, and we are headed down for a family Wii championship..... the one we have been talking about since Christmas! No doubt John and I will be sore and will need to ice up about every part of our bodies tomorrow. But, until then we will enjoy the rest of the day that we celebrate Jack and another year loving him. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';">Love, catherine</span></span></span></span></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-20434410462007182352009-04-12T20:48:00.000-06:002009-04-12T21:12:19.427-06:00Happy Easter!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Where have the last two months gone?? My goodness.... sorry I have been so delinquent. My new job is keeping me very busy - but challenged and very happy! Thank you God!! Kids schedules have been a bit crazy too. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Alexandra is in 8th grade, and doing soccer for the last time at Corpus Christi. She also has youth group, confirmation and is in the school melodrama. We are very excited that she got accepted into the college prep HS in town - St. Mary's. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Michael is doing wrestling again this year after some back and forth thought. The first match he lost by quite a few points, so he was not too happy. He came back with a vengeance and has lost only one match since. All others he has won by pinning his opponent in the first period. He's developed this technique that has really boosted his confidence, and clearly works. Since I stress out watching boys wrestle, I appreciate the swiftness of his matches now. His record was finishing the match in 13 seconds - way to go Michael! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jack's little heart was broken. His "long term girlfriend" Elizabeth has moved on to someone else.... Jack was devastated. He went through ups and downs expected of teenage crushes - but has come to the conclusion that she will come to her senses one day and come back - he just needs to wait. Oh goodness!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tommy... finally potty trained!! Jack was a nightmare, but Tommy just didn't care. All the best bribing did nothing to curve his lack of interest. When I asked him what he was going to do when it was time to go to college he would say "Take diapers with me!". But then one day he woke up and decided he wanted to wear underwear and has ever since then. It just clicked..... no trial and error, it was just done. Oh thank goodness! Our budget appreciates only having to buy diapers for one. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peter.... well, little man is still bear walking about everywhere. He's cut down on wanting to walk now that he is getting faster and faster. But, he pulls to stand on everything, is cruising around on furniture, walls and cabinets. He is still a total peanut (maybe 22lbs) and short.... but tall enough to open drawers and dump them out. Tall enough to reach up on the kitchen counter and pull off bowls and send them flying. His technique should lend itself well to discus throwing, but the bowl shattering on the floor is not a pretty sight. Then again, I was almost brought to tears when he reached over his high chair to the kitchen table and sent flying the ceramic bowl I had hand painted. That deserved angry eyes from me.... but I wasn't able to keep them long as he charmed me with his angel eyes. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This weekend was a big move!! Peter moved out..... that is, last night was the first time since Peter came home that John and I haven't had a roommate!! The crib, changing table and all his clothes moved down the hall and in with Tommy and Jack. So the three little boys are sharing a room. It's a bit crowded, but with Peter's second birthday right around the corner we felt ready to let him graduate. I think he is glad to have a new space to hang, and hopefully it will allow us to get him into a routine closer to the other boys. Peter is a bit of a night owl often up till 11pm or so. Fingers crossed going into longer days he can still start going down a little earlier. John and I need some couple time!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Think that gets us somewhat caught up. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">HAPPY EASTER!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">catherine</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gingerbread bunny house - by Alexandra</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKsEpix-ZI/AAAAAAAAA3E/Wn6KIkPEo5o/s1600-h/IMG_3613.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKsEpix-ZI/AAAAAAAAA3E/Wn6KIkPEo5o/s320/IMG_3613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324006905376536978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Egg decorating with Tio Greg &amp; Tia Brenda.... thank you for organizing it!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKrz53MJ3I/AAAAAAAAA28/_5ja2SwhSZE/s1600-h/IMG_3557.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKrz53MJ3I/AAAAAAAAA28/_5ja2SwhSZE/s320/IMG_3557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324006617699329906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKrzhwAghI/AAAAAAAAA20/xrlqntyVuQY/s1600-h/IMG_3574.JPG"> <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKrzhwAghI/AAAAAAAAA20/xrlqntyVuQY/s320/IMG_3574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324006611226755602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKrzdZWqfI/AAAAAAAAA2s/CApRH1l7CPo/s1600-h/IMG_3572.JPG"> <img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKrzdZWqfI/AAAAAAAAA2s/CApRH1l7CPo/s320/IMG_3572.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324006610057996786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKrzHUUIrI/AAAAAAAAA2k/Oa7p48KYtdE/s1600-h/IMG_3571.JPG"> <img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKrzHUUIrI/AAAAAAAAA2k/Oa7p48KYtdE/s320/IMG_3571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324006604131279538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a> <img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SeKry0ex4dI/AAAAAAAAA2c/hWV7XLBVZFY/s320/IMG_3575.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324006599074898386" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><br /></div></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-81824048715936798012009-02-18T21:39:00.001-07:002009-02-18T21:39:51.618-07:00Peter's brush with the law<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">So yesterday was one of those crazy days - things going in every direction. As I mentioned Peter is finally at that height where he can reach up and pull things off tables. He was in the family room and reached up and pulled the phone down.... I was in the kitchen when John figured out the phone was off the hook. I found Peter and the phone - without think I just shut it off and put it away. We sat down for dinner and the phone started ringing, and ringing and ringing - no messages being left. Alexandra suggested we answer - but our rule is no phone calls during family dinner. After dinner John was playing with the boys, I slipped down to get some work done, Alexandra was cooking up a Peruvian dish for dinner tonight when the door bell rung. THE POLICE..... not our favorite 80's band - but rather a true officer of the law. I guess Peter had started off his call to China with 911. The phone calls during dinner was the dispatcher trying to ensure all was OK, since no answer she sent out the police. Oh how embarrassing! I knew something was wrong when I could hear Tommy and Jack getting on Peter's case with just that extra volume and glee like he'd been caught doing something wrong. I came up to make sure all was OK as John was saying goodnight to the good man in blue. Jack and Tommy loudly saying "Peter! you called the police!!!". Peter not understanding a word but enjoying the attention. Fortunately we didn't get in trouble for false reporting or anything. Mental note - keep the phones away from Peter. One of our kids was bound to dial 911 some time..... never thought it would be Peter. Good night - HUGS </span>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-19431691159084156572009-02-16T21:09:00.000-07:002009-02-16T21:34:19.147-07:00Peter... from Baby Bear to Bear WalkerI have been out of touch a bit because the last several weeks have been crazy! Shortly after coming back from Peru I was recruited into a new position at UHC. It is the spot I wanted to land in three years ago - so a dream come true. I am totally excited!! It is no doubt a huge challenge and phenomenal opportunity. I truly believe God knew I couldn't have taken it on two or three years ago.... but here we are now.... and I am so excited. I completed 99% of my transition work last week - which in itself was emotionally draining - to leave behind people that have helped you grow and become part of your life. But, this is life I guess. So now, on to the new challenges, opportunities and joys. Please keep me in your prayers as I move into this. <div><br /></div><div>And speaking of challenges and joys - Peter has graduated from "Baby Bear" to "Bear Walker"!! I had mentioned to you that when we had Peter's PT session at The Children's Hospital in Denver - Pat Winders had told us to start working on developing walking skills. Well, late January the special walker we wanted for Peter arrived. Peter took to walking like a duck to water. So if you put your hands under his arm pits or sometimes hold his hands close to his torso he will take steps.... and can walk all around the house. You can tell the concept has clicked and he wants to do it. In addition from one day to the next he mastered the concept of turning and pushing to go down the stairs. We thought he'd never get it - and all of a sudden he just did it. So now he is mobile through all three floors of the house..... nothing is safe! Especially now that he is getting a bit taller and can reach up and pull things off of tables. We have to remember to stop clapping at all that he does because soon he will be a tornado on the loose. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SZo9juAp7-I/AAAAAAAAA10/QBgu84OgaUo/s1600-h/IMG_3285.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SZo9juAp7-I/AAAAAAAAA10/QBgu84OgaUo/s320/IMG_3285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303619195037675490" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Anyway - Peter and the walker. It goes a bit fast for him and he tends to just plop. So Tommy came up with the best solution - he sits in the walker and lets Peter take him for walks..... which generally means walking straight until you hit the wall, hit the wall, hit the wall, and hit the wall if you get my drift. Here are the boys! One day he'll learn to turn the thing and then Tommy better hold on tight because I can see this becoming a wild ride some day. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SZo9jxbLBBI/AAAAAAAAA18/7enZ0cdcxrk/s1600-h/IMG_3279.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SZo9jxbLBBI/AAAAAAAAA18/7enZ0cdcxrk/s320/IMG_3279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303619195954201618" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div>And then there is Peter's graduation to Bear Walker. As you know Peter has been master of the army crawl for about a year now. I think in his effort to figure out how to actually walk he has figured out the bear walk. So he stretches all his limbs and crawls down the hall like a bear. It is so cool to watch. Then he will push as if wanting to stand - but since he doesn't straighten up his body he just sort of keeps going and lands on this bottom. A couple of times he's pulled up to stand on furniture or the wall and will then let go as if trying to balance himself. Lasts but a split second - but hey! he's trying. His balance isn't great yet - but I think the fact he has the concept and is trying is truly amazingly phenomenal!!! Here's Bear Walker. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SZo9kLlaNhI/AAAAAAAAA2E/KdvNICiccPs/s1600-h/IMG_3283.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SZo9kLlaNhI/AAAAAAAAA2E/KdvNICiccPs/s320/IMG_3283.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303619202976462354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That is about it from this corner of the world right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love to all, </div><div>catherine</div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-67403264442508545122009-02-01T20:08:00.000-07:002009-02-01T21:32:02.054-07:00Peru pictures... finally!About 2am and we are leaving the airport. Our flight to Lima was delayed and we are tired!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZlVD_OEXI/AAAAAAAAAx0/U82-z582PYE/s1600-h/DH000014.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZlVD_OEXI/AAAAAAAAAx0/U82-z582PYE/s320/DH000014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298033424170094962" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Good morning Lima!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ2X6DqOBI/AAAAAAAAA1k/7g9KWUfEzX8/s1600-h/DH000002.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ2X6DqOBI/AAAAAAAAA1k/7g9KWUfEzX8/s320/DH000002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298052164741642258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Monday we slept in and then went out walking through Miraflores for over 5 hours....it was great to see all my old spots. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZlVls_a4I/AAAAAAAAAyE/Wijw_ZCB_YM/s1600-h/IMG_2568.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZlVls_a4I/AAAAAAAAAyE/Wijw_ZCB_YM/s320/IMG_2568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298033433220443010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>...and new spots - here is Peter at Starbucks with my mom! He can play with a green straw for hours!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZlV4bUF8I/AAAAAAAAAyM/_6Uc5mfTwkU/s1600-h/IMG_2581.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZlV4bUF8I/AAAAAAAAAyM/_6Uc5mfTwkU/s320/IMG_2581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298033438246574018" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Outside my old school - San Silvestre. It's changed from the big old wooden doors I used to walk through. I hope next time I can go inside and find those spots with so many fond memories. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZlWKSEeSI/AAAAAAAAAyU/8eu33hJOKcs/s1600-h/IMG_2594.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZlWKSEeSI/AAAAAAAAAyU/8eu33hJOKcs/s320/IMG_2594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298033443039639842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Tuesday we loaded up and headed down to the beach house in the afternoon.....</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn46K1K_I/AAAAAAAAAyc/yFoPCH6k7RM/s1600-h/IMG_2614.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn46K1K_I/AAAAAAAAAyc/yFoPCH6k7RM/s320/IMG_2614.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298036239032986610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Introducing Peter to the Pacific Ocean..... I forgot how loud it is for someone seeing it for the first time. I was like music to my ears that washed every last ounce of stress away. I even slept with the window open - so that I could fall asleep to it and wake up to it. I didn't realize just how much I missed the crashing waves. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn5JLhJPI/AAAAAAAAAyk/PIAj97_RvpQ/s1600-h/IMG_2650.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn5JLhJPI/AAAAAAAAAyk/PIAj97_RvpQ/s320/IMG_2650.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298036243062400242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn5gzLWBI/AAAAAAAAAys/dTq9IvmUxPI/s1600-h/IMG_2651.JPG"> <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn5gzLWBI/AAAAAAAAAys/dTq9IvmUxPI/s320/IMG_2651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298036249402759186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn57X2c-I/AAAAAAAAAy0/ShfiHDjMBOM/s1600-h/IMG_2652.JPG"> <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn57X2c-I/AAAAAAAAAy0/ShfiHDjMBOM/s320/IMG_2652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298036256535901154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Wednesday morning was beautiful!! You can see it islands right off the coast that look like a stone whale.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn6OmkHnI/AAAAAAAAAy8/-uIO_E1x7Yc/s1600-h/IMG_2696.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZn6OmkHnI/AAAAAAAAAy8/-uIO_E1x7Yc/s320/IMG_2696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298036261697887858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>... had breakfast with Grandaddy and then headed down for the morning at the beach</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZqQbMNY9I/AAAAAAAAAzE/r46etQlP-q8/s1600-h/IMG_2706.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZqQbMNY9I/AAAAAAAAAzE/r46etQlP-q8/s320/IMG_2706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298038842057384914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZqQgMiaaI/AAAAAAAAAzM/c256kPpVqa8/s1600-h/IMG_2719.JPG"> <img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZqQgMiaaI/AAAAAAAAAzM/c256kPpVqa8/s320/IMG_2719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298038843400939938" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then we headed down to the hot spot of "Asia" beach so that I could have my most yummy chicken in the world at the "Granja Azul"</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZqQzTnBYI/AAAAAAAAAzU/Fz6XrYg2bCQ/s1600-h/DH000044.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZqQzTnBYI/AAAAAAAAAzU/Fz6XrYg2bCQ/s320/DH000044.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298038848530875778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We got home late to just enjoyed cheese, crackers and a glass of wine while watching the night waves roll in</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZqRRndBtI/AAAAAAAAAzc/UhNha_BCVeo/s1600-h/IMG_2810.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZqRRndBtI/AAAAAAAAAzc/UhNha_BCVeo/s320/IMG_2810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298038856667170514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday we enjoyed our last day at the beach.... Peter enjoyed digging the sand and putting shells in and out of the tub. Then we headed back to Lima where I got together with some friends. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZthQ-70LI/AAAAAAAAA0E/VFwAEeuVmlw/s1600-h/IMG_2880.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZthQ-70LI/AAAAAAAAA0E/VFwAEeuVmlw/s320/IMG_2880.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298042429910012082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZte4KLC1I/AAAAAAAAAzk/JukxaDcsd9Q/s320/IMG_2841.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298042388886522706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZtfIdhdTI/AAAAAAAAAzs/_5QIXYddP78/s1600-h/IMG_2845.JPG"> <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZtfIdhdTI/AAAAAAAAAzs/_5QIXYddP78/s320/IMG_2845.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298042393262650674" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZtfBUA6LI/AAAAAAAAAz0/flIvixx0vhI/s1600-h/IMG_2897.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZtfBUA6LI/AAAAAAAAAz0/flIvixx0vhI/s320/IMG_2897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298042391343720626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Friday.... Granny's big birthday!! We started off with lunch at Punta y Sal restaurant - oh yummy yummy cebiche. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZtfnFx34I/AAAAAAAAAz8/x9BseYcn7SY/s1600-h/IMG_2908.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZtfnFx34I/AAAAAAAAAz8/x9BseYcn7SY/s320/IMG_2908.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298042401484562306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The birthday party at the Phoenix club! Granny looked great - she was serenaded by Mariachis that she loves - but of course having Peter there was the best gift...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv1FlFbQI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9fBzcHMMVxI/s1600-h/IMG_2943.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv1FlFbQI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9fBzcHMMVxI/s320/IMG_2943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298044969469439234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv1Yh0yrI/AAAAAAAAA0U/JgwGA3E__W8/s1600-h/IMG_2976.JPG"> <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv1Yh0yrI/AAAAAAAAA0U/JgwGA3E__W8/s320/IMG_2976.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298044974556039858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv1hsE5tI/AAAAAAAAA0c/lCbaX6UG1To/s1600-h/IMG_2994.JPG"> <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv1hsE5tI/AAAAAAAAA0c/lCbaX6UG1To/s320/IMG_2994.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298044977014957778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday we did my tourist shopping - the enjoyed another of my favorite dishes for dinner - anticuchos with an Inca Kola, with picarones for dessert.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv10zUtSI/AAAAAAAAA0k/f7gNNWnxcwI/s1600-h/IMG_3023.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv10zUtSI/AAAAAAAAA0k/f7gNNWnxcwI/s320/IMG_3023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298044982145627426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv2FnMowI/AAAAAAAAA0s/3BZsti_UXL4/s1600-h/IMG_3031.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZv2FnMowI/AAAAAAAAA0s/3BZsti_UXL4/s320/IMG_3031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298044986658169602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The we took a bus tour of down town Lima at night, and visited the biggest water fountain park in the world....</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0tA029hI/AAAAAAAAA00/jwU8SfifAJs/s1600-h/IMG_3039.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0tA029hI/AAAAAAAAA00/jwU8SfifAJs/s320/IMG_3039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298050328312608274" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0trkgvjI/AAAAAAAAA1M/uY-JNCKhT3U/s1600-h/IMG_3104.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0trkgvjI/AAAAAAAAA1M/uY-JNCKhT3U/s320/IMG_3104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298050339786767922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0tLVbbVI/AAAAAAAAA08/av0pQH_Ydr0/s1600-h/IMG_3057.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0tLVbbVI/AAAAAAAAA08/av0pQH_Ydr0/s320/IMG_3057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298050331133570386" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0tXjNMAI/AAAAAAAAA1E/o6BWbwhD9MI/s1600-h/IMG_3052.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0tXjNMAI/AAAAAAAAA1E/o6BWbwhD9MI/s320/IMG_3052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298050334412582914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0trkgvjI/AAAAAAAAA1M/uY-JNCKhT3U/s1600-h/IMG_3104.JPG"> </a>Sunday did a bit more shopping before catching the midnight flight back to Colorado Springs</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ2X9i9ELI/AAAAAAAAA1c/gTjs_Ltn9IQ/s1600-h/DH000169.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ2X9i9ELI/AAAAAAAAA1c/gTjs_Ltn9IQ/s320/DH000169.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298052165678207154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0txyY6sI/AAAAAAAAA1U/FjjNMrpAr-g/s1600-h/IMG_3162.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ0txyY6sI/AAAAAAAAA1U/FjjNMrpAr-g/s320/IMG_3162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298050341455588034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Good night Lima...... good morning Colorado!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ2YE33HtI/AAAAAAAAA1s/os-PiocLFOo/s1600-h/IMG_3175.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SYZ2YE33HtI/AAAAAAAAA1s/os-PiocLFOo/s320/IMG_3175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298052167644946130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-87112871010833142292009-02-01T19:38:00.000-07:002009-02-01T20:01:09.163-07:00Catching up with JanuaryWhere did the last 3 weeks go?? My goodness.... unbelievable that Peter and I got home three weeks ago this upcoming Monday. Things have been non-stop go since then!! And suffice to say the proof is in the laundry. If I don't do at least a load a day I am messed up - and I have not done a load a day.... so right now I am battling Mt. of Dirty Clothes!!<div><br /></div><div>So to catch up for January.....</div><div><br /></div><div>a) PERU - I miss it so much!! The food, my friends, my parents, the beach, the sound of the ocean, the warmth....home! Peter and I both had a great time and really could have used a few more days there. My last day there - the day of my planned launch off the side of a cliff attached to a parachute did not happen, there was no wind. So we shall save that for next time. I am going to attach photos tonight even if I am up till midnight!</div><div><br /></div><div>b) Michael's birthday - our man is double digits of one - I can't believe he is 11, and to me a spitting image of John in every way. I was glad to be home to celebrate, even if still worn out from the trip. Michael picked Carraba's for dinner - a family favorite. Of course, we left with a collection of pizza dough creatures. </div><div><br /></div><div>c) Ice Fishing - the weekend of MLK, John went on his annual ice fishing trip to the Gunnison area. John has been doing this pretty much since we moved to Colorado - but this was the first year Michael went with him. They headed out on Friday afternoon and fished Saturday and Sunday. While John was skunked (did NOT catch a thing!) Michael was more successful actually catching the biggest fish one day - way to go Michael!! They did stay up an extra day this year, and on Monday went skiing - first time for the season. I think Michael came back with a bruised behind, but enjoyed every minute of his weekend with John. </div><div><br /></div><div>I stayed in the Springs with Alexandra, Jack, Tommy and Peter. They were wonderful. My relax came when I met my friend Anne for Starbucks and we spent hours walking through the shops checking out all the sale items.... it was glorious!! The kids and I worked on some projects around this house, had too many trips to Wal-Mart, but ended the weekend with a fun afternoon at the zoo.... it was HOT!!</div><div><br /></div><div>d) Michael - basketball season has started. Michael really enjoys the sport and it really gives him an opportunity to bond with some of his classmates. The first game was even attended by three of the girls as impromptu cheerleaders..... the boys won't admit it, but I think they liked the attention. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from that, we have been running around like crazy. Work is hectic, school is hectic, and schedules are hectic. Last night we enjoyed dinner with a family who received a pre-natal diagnosis - just like we did with Peter. I think we've made new friends! I really enjoyed their company, and looking forward to meeting their little girl when she comes into the world about a month or so from now. Tomorrow I start back up with the Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association - and back into figuring out how to improve the opportunities for our kids. Our "Fostering Hope" group from church just got a new family to support - so I must brush off my casserole recipes and start mass producing meals again. I hope they enjoy them as much as the last family did. So, I can see 2009 will continue to fly into full swing. This being Alexandra's last year at Corpus Christi also presents new experiences for us. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hear the dryer beeping.... another load should be ready! I am going to cut this off for now and attach pictures shortly. </div><div><br /></div><div>God bless, </div><div>Catherine</div><div><br /></div><div>ps. My friends in Peru talked me into Facebook....so if you are out there look me up! I could always use a new friend!! John is also out there - in case you prefer to be his friend :-) </div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-48852046868843313502009-01-10T21:23:00.000-07:002009-01-10T21:41:13.931-07:00Quickie updateI have been completely delinquent - so much for regular updates huh??!! I've just been having way too much fun in Peru - and Peter is the most amazing kid ever! He has just rolled with it like a pro, and is obviously having a great time. I have close to 500 pictures taken, so I do need to weed them out and post a bunch. Peter and I leave around midnight tomorrow to head back to Colorado, and will get there mid day Monday. I promise to post a full update and pictures once I get settled in. Quick synopsis of the trip -<br /> Monday - walked the district of Miraflores within Lima and enjoyed a relaxing evening at home<br /> Tuesday - slept in! we were tired!! then headed down to "Pulpos" where my parents have a beach house. We enjoyed a little time by the water, and then a dinner on the balcony overlooking the ocean. Late that night my Uncle Peter arrived from England to enjoy the summer here.<br /> Wednesday - enjoyed the beach in the morning - took my first dip in the Pacific Ocean and tried body surfing again! Tumbled in the waves and enjoyed the sand between my toes. Then headed down to "Asia" beach where there is an incredible little shopping/dining area - and had my favorite chicken in the world at the Granja Azul restaurant. Got home late, so had wine with cheese and crackers as we watched the waves break.<br /> Thursday - came back to Lima and had a wonderful evening with some of my old friends from school - San Silvestre - British girl's school I attended. I swear my friends never age because they look like they did when we graduated twenty years ago!<br /> Friday - yes, I'm spoiled.... manicure and pedicure day! Amazing "cebiche" lunch at a fish restaurant. Then helping get things taken care of for my mom's special party. In the evening we had the party at the local "Phoenix Club" and it was fabulous! I saw people I hadn't seen in 20 years. My mother was the belle of the ball, followed closely by Peter who was the special guest of honor. These wonderful folks have prayed and hoped for Peter's good health - and seeing him brought so much joy to them. My Tia Janet (Aunt Janet) was even on the floor chasing after people as he crawled around. It could not have gone better!<br /> Saturday (today) - had another gorgeous run along the beach.... oh it was beautiful!! Then we visited with Nilda - my mother's reflexologist who had a young daughter with DS. She was the pillar of strength my mother needed here after our pre-natal diagnosis and the health challenges after Peter's birth. Unfortunately her daughter died unexpectedly from an infection - so holding Peter was bitter-sweet for her. Peter took to her instantly and gave her the hug she needed. Fit in a little shopping and more great food!! Including one of my favorite desserts - "picarones". A deep fried donut made of squash and sweet potato batter and drizzled with a peruvian syrup made from crushed brown sugar cane. Yummy!! Then we took an almost 4 hour bus tour of historic Lima and a local park with amazing water fountains.<br /><br />Tomorrow we have a lot of little things to do - a little shopping, washing and packing - but, if the weather is good hope to go para-gliding right off the cliff in front of my parents apartment. A bit scared of jumping off a cliff - but hoping the weather will be right to do so.<br /><br />Anyway - there is a quickie update. Can't wait to share the pics with you and more details on Peter's experiences. I just have to say - Peter is the perfect traveller!!<br /><br />Love -<br />catherinecatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-62416120802955443762009-01-05T20:23:00.000-07:002009-01-06T11:07:58.944-07:00We are in Peru!Yesterday was a very long day! We got up early, early, early to leave the house at 5 something a.m. There was about 4 inches of snow - so I was afraid our flight would be delayed. John took Peter and I down to the airport. Our flight was not delayed, but we spent about 45 minutes in line on the runway waiting to be de-iced. We had a long lay over in Houston, so was not worried. We made up time and landed in Houston at about 11:30 am local time. We strolled around, ate lunch, and strolled some more. Our much anticipated flight to Lima ended up being delayed, and delayed again, and then again. I was trying to keep Peter awake until we boarded, but he passed out in his stroller. We finally took off about 2 hours late. They made up a bit of time on the flight down, but we were still late. Peter was the perfect passenger! We sat in a row on our own and he was easily entertained. We walked the aisle a few times for a break, and he slobbered all over the TV screen in the seat in front of us. I was exhausted, but Peter really was an angel. When we landed I loaded him up in the stroller and headed to battle the line of immigrations. Next thing I knew I was getting whisked down a fast lane by the people who would no doubt be in line for hours. I got checked out , stamped, suitcase and was not even selected for customs check. We were out in no time at all, and at my parents place little before 3am. The door was decorated, the apartment perfect - with priceless views of Lima and the Pacific Ocean at night. And I got to settle in eating a "mousy mousy". When my brother Roger and I were kids, my parents would take us to a local bakery. Roger and I would always pick the pastries that were decorated to look like little mice, and we thus dubbed the bakery "The Mousy Mousy Place".<br /><br />Yesterday Peter and I slept in. We much needed it. In about 20 minutes Peter warmed up to the new setting and set off to explore the home. Nothing is safe! But he has been gentle with Silver the cat. After lunch I decided I wanted to walk Miraflores - the district of Lima I grew up in. We loaded Peter up in the stroller as my dad and I headed out. We walked along the coast, through shopping sections, parks, and finally to the meeting location with my mom - Starbucks! :-) We had a drink, got a little groceries and then headed out for the last leg of our trip. We walked through my old neighboorhood and I saw homes of old friends, the park I learned to climb tress in and my old home. We then walked a few blocks to my old school which we walked around. Hard to believe it has been over 20 years since I would put on the ugliest school uniform in the world and walk to that same school and through those same gates. That was my home for 12 years - so many memories, wonderful friends, quirky teachers and moments that make up who I am today. We finally made it back to the apartment after 7pm and settled down for more amazing views of the ocean, the sound of the breeze and the sea salt in the air. Truly magical!<br /><br />Last night was a late night as Peter is on an eating strike, and decided to get a second wind late at night. Finally we shut all the lights off and he got the hint. This morning I decided to go out for a little walk/run.... it turned into almost an hour and a half of exilirating exercise. I ran along the top cliffs of Lima, then down these very long stairs to the beach area and then I ran for what seemed like miles. I ran on the beach, past some old favorite restaurants, watching the surfers head out to catch some waves, and the whole time breathing in the ocean breeze. Then it was time to climb what seemed like a mile of stairs back up - that was a challenge. By then I was a few miles away from my parents place. After catching my breath ran the whole way back. I was red and sweaty and felt GREAT! It is so nice to have so much oxygen and the difference in energy levels is amazing.<br /><br />Sorry no pics yet - need to dig out some cords from my dad to attach the camara. We are headed out for a couple of days at the beach house - so it will likely be Thursday before I get the pictures all posted. Thursday night I'm having dinner with some old class mates, Friday night is my mother's birthday soiree at a club, and then the weekend before I head home.<br /><br />Better run so that we can get on the road -<br /><br />love you all!!<br />catherinecatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728580381498115816.post-26005796211446330782008-12-31T21:33:00.000-07:002008-12-31T22:44:00.505-07:00Merry Christmas & happy end of 2008!It is December 31st, 2008.... where has the time gone? Today John said to me "Remember Y2K?" It seems like so long ago. It was my full time job helping our company prepare and test and test and test some more for Y2K. And honestly it was so anti-climatic when it came and went. And here we are, 9 years after computers were supposed to stop working, we would have no water and the world would come to an end. I wonder sometimes how the people who bought bunkers out in the plains feel today. Anyway, I digress because I am tired and a simple thought process seems quite challenging right now. And of course the kids want to stay up to ring in the New Year. I think we will be half zombies at Mass in the morning. <div><br /></div><div>But, I did want to update the blog and let you know what a wonderful Christmas we had this year. Unexpectedly John's parents were in town to help my brother and sister-in-law move to a new home (a totally awesome, beautiful dream home with an amazing kitchen!) so we had a wonderful big family Christmas. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS8KXJIcI/AAAAAAAAAwM/YnGna447hLg/s1600-h/IMG_2376.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS8KXJIcI/AAAAAAAAAwM/YnGna447hLg/s320/IMG_2376.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286191256153170370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS9Hi16XI/AAAAAAAAAwk/rcIFWdOoL1Y/s1600-h/IMG_2387.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS9Hi16XI/AAAAAAAAAwk/rcIFWdOoL1Y/s320/IMG_2387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286191272576805234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS8wHXDfI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Q9bKaE95-Cg/s1600-h/IMG_2383.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS8wHXDfI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Q9bKaE95-Cg/s320/IMG_2383.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286191266287521266" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS74QqKiI/AAAAAAAAAwE/ogU64k7H9hw/s1600-h/IMG_2375.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS74QqKiI/AAAAAAAAAwE/ogU64k7H9hw/s320/IMG_2375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286191251294136866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS8drX0HI/AAAAAAAAAwU/hCpSVvlR4qw/s1600-h/IMG_2381.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxS8drX0HI/AAAAAAAAAwU/hCpSVvlR4qw/s320/IMG_2381.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286191261338292338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas Eve we had a small dinner - just John, me and the kids - and we had ham dinner. I grew up in Peru and having a big hot meal on Christmas (in summer) just seemed insane - so we always had our dinner on Christmas Eve. John and I adopted a modified version of this Mortimer tradition. I cooked dinner while John and the kids delivered all the goodies we had baked. We enjoyed dinner, and then went to Mass where Alexandra was Altar serving. We came home and in a tradition John and I created for the family - the kids got one present to open. Now, the get excited every year but they know exactly what it is - pj's!! Two reasons - a) they normally need new winter pj's by this time of the year; and b) they are guaranteed to be clean and decent in pics from Christmas morning!! We did our Advent readings and off to bed we went. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxVRyGIGmI/AAAAAAAAAws/dorkV9CO6aI/s1600-h/IMG_2371.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxVRyGIGmI/AAAAAAAAAws/dorkV9CO6aI/s320/IMG_2371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286193826619726434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxVSGoTs3I/AAAAAAAAAw0/cXmhUFsxv3Q/s1600-h/IMG_2419.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxVSGoTs3I/AAAAAAAAAw0/cXmhUFsxv3Q/s320/IMG_2419.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286193832131801970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxVSl6GGdI/AAAAAAAAAw8/Hy7EfYC-ZJg/s1600-h/IMG_2443.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxVSl6GGdI/AAAAAAAAAw8/Hy7EfYC-ZJg/s320/IMG_2443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286193840527907282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Christmas morning we had promised to keep the kids out of the gifts until John's parents could get here to celebrate - which was around 9am. Fortunately the little ones slept in but the big ones hid in the basement to contain their excitement. Grandma is always very generous and stocks the tree abundantly. The kids love this! They know that from John and I they will get three gifts.... after all, we are celebrating Christ's birth and Jesus himself got three gifts. Another family tradition I guess! Usually the gifts are an outfit, a book or movie, and a game or something fun. Then Santa brings the kids one big gift each. This year Santa gave in on their repeated request for a game system - so he brought one gift for the kids to share - a Wii game system. Talk about excitement, and screaming and jumping and now endless hours of playing Wii tennis, bowling, baseball and Mario-something-slugger. We were also joined by my brother and sister-in-law (Greg &amp; Brenda) and together enjoyed a wonderful turkey dinner. Brenda has the reputation of making the best deserts in the family - and she baked a delicious cake and yummy cheese cake. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now to share some of the kids favorites this year - </div><div><br /></div><div>Peter - light up Christmas socks - </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXHJx_54I/AAAAAAAAAxk/uq0M9BHL2SA/s1600-h/IMG_2493.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXHJx_54I/AAAAAAAAAxk/uq0M9BHL2SA/s320/IMG_2493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286195843022448514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Alexandra - snicker doodle scented candle</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXGf4jfJI/AAAAAAAAAxc/_GGIAoomNeY/s1600-h/IMG_2495.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXGf4jfJI/AAAAAAAAAxc/_GGIAoomNeY/s320/IMG_2495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286195831775657106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Tommy - the remote control helicopter that Jack got from his godparents</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXF6WGowI/AAAAAAAAAxU/GevUyM-G2gg/s1600-h/IMG_2494.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXF6WGowI/AAAAAAAAAxU/GevUyM-G2gg/s320/IMG_2494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286195821699048194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Jack - the heli, a foam disk shooter and a maze book + computer game </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXFNSfULI/AAAAAAAAAxE/UA2R73q6qg0/s1600-h/IMG_2497.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXFNSfULI/AAAAAAAAAxE/UA2R73q6qg0/s320/IMG_2497.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286195809604292786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Michael - hands down...the Wii</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXFsiZ98I/AAAAAAAAAxM/RKzZqW3DvZY/s1600-h/IMG_2505.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EmsZWp0n0_w/SVxXFsiZ98I/AAAAAAAAAxM/RKzZqW3DvZY/s320/IMG_2505.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286195817992550338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div>And on an embarrassing note I must confess my own lack of being in good shape. This last summer after Peter turned a year I started exercising again. I went out every morning and was doing 4 - 5 miles a day part walk and part run. I felt great! I lost weight! I felt good!! Then school started and my life went crazy. I didn't have time to exercise, I never got back on top of laundry and felt like I was constantly flying by the seat of my pants keeping up with home, kids, husband and work. Ahh! Well, I recently recognized my need to start exercising again - so I've been getting up early before everyone else to fit in prayer and exercise. I have become somewhat fanatic in the last couple of weeks in my useless attempt to look more like Heidi Klum before my trip to Peru. I am failing terribly despite being up to 6 miles a day, eating little and drinking lots of water - I'm cursed! Anyway, I digress again. I was started to feel more comfortable that I was getting "fit" again. Michael challenged me to the Wii. "Sure" I told myself "just a kids game - how hard can it be?" Well, he kicked my @$$ at tennis which was embarrassing. I decided to move onto bowling - you know - a sport more suited for us maturing parents. Well, he double kicked my @$$. My competitive edge kicked in and I was bound a determined to master the bowling. In a less than stellar parenting move, I sent Michael off to bed and stayed with the Wii. I bowled for an hour trying to beat Michael's 203 score. I maxed out at 185. It was midnight and I went to bed. I should have iced my shoulder because my right arm was so sore I could barely move it for three days. I have not yet taken on the Wii again!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway - it is 2009 in half the world, so I better wrap this up and just say THANK YOU GOD for a wonderful 2008! please continue to guide us and bless us in 2009!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love, </div><div>catherine </div>catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312769257446464026noreply@blogger.com2